Did you know that when the Sagrada Familia is completed in 2026, it will be the tallest church in the world? tallest church in the world? This is another of the curiosities of this fantastic building, national pride and exponent of the fantastic architectural work we have in our country.
The history of civilizations is closely linked to the construction of religious buildings. From the 12th century, with the explosion of the construction of cathedrals, numerous cities competed to build the most beautiful and tallest cathedral as a symbol of prestige..
During the Middle Ages, the importance of the cities lay in the size of their cathedral.. Neither the design nor the beauty were enough to achieve this, one more parameter was missing: its height. Unfortunately, today, many of them do not retain their original height, since they were destroyed for various reasons.
For this reason, and given that our pride will be the Sagrada Familia when its construction is completed in 2026, we think it is interesting that everyone who visits it, knows the importance it will acquire. And for that, let’s look at the current ranking of tallest churches in the worldThis is our way of recognizing these beautiful constructions worthy of admiration and representative of European history.
Height today of the Sagrada Familia
Currently, the height of the Sagrada Familia The tower of the Virgin Mary, which rises 138 m above the ground, will give it. Although at the moment it is not completely finished, the height of the Basilica at the present time can be taken for granted.
This means that, today, it shares the number 8 position in the ranking of the tallest church in the world. tallest church in the worldThe Basilica of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. But, this will only be for 5 years, because if the works continue with the programmed plan, in the year 2026 the Sagrada Familia with a height of 172,5 m, which is the height of the tower dedicated to Jesus.
In this way, the height of the Sagrada Familia will also mean that it will be the tallest building in Barcelona, surpassed only by Tibidabo and Montjuïc Mountain. And this was Gaudí’s original intention, to build a temple that would reach God.
Ranking of the tallest churches in the world
In order to establish the current ranking, we will base ourselves on the actual height of the building given by the element that reaches the highest elevation. This means that, if you have a cross or a statue, this will be the element to consider. Based on this, the ranking of the tallest church in the world at the present time is:
1. Ulm Cathedral (161.5 m)
Built in Gothic style, it was begun in the 14th century and completed in the 19th century. It is the largest and tallest Protestant church in the world. and its maximum height is given by a spire placed on its main tower. Initially designed for a lower height, it was decided to extend it to surpass the Cologne cathedral. Its 768 steps, allow reaching a height of 143 m.
2. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (158 m)
Located in the city of Yamoussoukro (Ivory Coast), it competes with that of St. Peter’s in the Vatican to be the largest in surface area in the world. Currently, is the tallest Catholic church in the world and its height is given by its cross, located in its great dome.
3. Cologne Cathedral (157 m)
It was the tallest building in the world until 1884, until the construction of the Washington Monument. This beautiful cathedral is a World Heritage Site for the time being, the world’s tallest catholic cathedral.
4. Rouen Cathedral (151 m)
Famous for being the scene of the second trial against Joan of Arc, its height is provided by a cast iron spire, located in its main tower.
5. Church of San Nicolas (148 m)
Located in Hamburg, Germany, its main building was destroyed in 1943 due to heavy bombing during World War II. Currently only the tower remains standing.
6. of Strasbourg (142 m)
Located in the Alsace region of France, it was the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874.. Its highest point is the only tower it has.
7. Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen (141 m)
Catholic church located in the village of Lichen Stary, Poland. Completed in 2004, it is its tower that has placed it in seventh place in the ranking of the tallest church in the world.
8. St. Peter’s Basilica (138 m)
For 5 years, will have the honor of occupying the eighth place next to the Sagrada Família.. Today, the most important temple of Christianity is the largest and most voluminous church in the world. Its highest point is its magnificent dome.
We will have to wait only 5 years for the Sagrada Familia to become the tallest church in the world. tallest church in the world. And it will be when the last of the 18 towers, the one destined to Jesus, is completed. We do not know for sure if the height originally conceived by Gaudí was to be the tallest church in the world. What we do know is that he did not want to make it higher because he thought that the work of man could never surpass that of nature. That is why he designed it a little lower than the two main mountains of Barcelona.
