Using a high crane, the 7.25-metre-tall, 24-tonne base section of the cross was lifted onto the 155-metre-high tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia, officially making it the tallest church tower in the world.
With its 18 towers, the basilica designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí is a landmark of Barcelona and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gartner, part of the Permasteelisa Group, plans to complete installation of the walkable glass cross by February 2026. The tower is scheduled to be finished in time for the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death in 2026.
Fundació Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família / Josep Daude
How is the cross structure built?
The cross structure is made of high-grade stainless steel (duplex), cast with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). It will be clad with stone and white-glazed ceramic, and glazed with transparent and translucent panes – some curved and pyramid-shaped.
In total, the cross consists of seven components, four of which are already on site in Barcelona. The remaining three parts are being manufactured at Gartner’s main plant in Gundelfingen an der Donau and will be delivered to Barcelona by December.
“Once completed, visitors will be able to climb a spiral staircase into the four horizontal arms of the glass cross and enjoy a unique view over Barcelona,” explained Jürgen Wax, Managing Director of Josef Gartner GmbH.
Gartner Managing Director Jürgen Wax said:
“Installing a glass cross weighing around 100 tonnes on a church tower is a major technical challenge. After around 150 years of construction, Gartner is now placing the final elements on the highest tower of the Sagrada Familia. As the new tallest church tower in the world, it surpasses Ulm Minster, located near our headquarters in Gundelfingen. A walkable cross made of steel and glass has never been built in this form before – and is unlikely to be built again soon. That’s why the Sagrada Familia, with our glass cross, will continue to inspire people for centuries to come.”
Fundació Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família / Josep Daude
