The Sagrada Familia now touches the sky

This February, the Sagrada Familia reached a new architectural milestone with the installation of the upper arm of the cross that crowns the Tower of Jesus. The operation, carried out with remarkable technical precision, marks the culmination of decades of construction and completes the central structure envisioned by Antoni Gaudí.

The final height — 172.5 metres — is far from accidental. Gaudí deliberately designed the tower to be slightly lower than Montjuïc, which rises to 177.7 metres. His reasoning was deeply symbolic: he believed that a human creation should never surpass the work of God. This decision transforms the building’s height into a statement of philosophy as much as architecture.

A cross that will shine over Barcelona

The newly completed cross stands 17 metres tall — equivalent to a five-storey building — and spans 13.5 metres in width. Each of its arms weighs over 12 tonnes. Clad in glass and glazed ceramic, it fulfils Gaudí’s wish for it to appear crystalline. Once the scaffolding is removed and the powerful spotlights installed, the cross will shine permanently over the city, visible from numerous points across Barcelona.

Inside the tower, a spiral staircase and a panoramic glass lift will lead visitors to a viewpoint located 164 metres above ground level, offering one of the most breathtaking perspectives ever conceived in the city.

A historic June ahead

This June, the Pope is expected to visit the Sagrada Familia to consecrate the central tower, in a year that also marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The event will once again place Barcelona firmly on the international cultural and media stage.

The perfect reason to visit Barcelona in 2026

The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ is not merely an architectural achievement — it is a once-in-a-generation moment in the history of Barcelona. Witnessing the city’s newly defined skyline, seeing the illuminated cross at sunset, or ascending to the future viewpoint makes this year the ideal time to plan a visit.

Just minutes from the temple, both Ohla Barcelona and Ohla Eixample provide the perfect base from which to experience this milestone in style. Contemporary architecture, rooftop views, Michelin-starred gastronomy and a sophisticated urban atmosphere complete the stay.

Because some moments are historic.
And then there is the place from which you choose to experience them.