Giant Glass‑Steel Cross Crowned Barcelona's Sagrada Família

A 17‑metre‑high, 13‑metre‑wide glass, steel and concrete cross was installed atop Barcelona’s Sagrada Família in February 2026, completing the Tower of Jesus Christ and giving the basilica the world’s tallest church spire at 172.5 m. The cross was engineered and fabricated by German specialist firm Josef Gartner in Gundelfingen, a company known for high‑profile façades such as Apple’s headquarters and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. The structure features a stainless‑steel frame, concrete core and a walk‑through interior with panoramic views.

The inauguration was marked by a historic media event: Taiwan’s TVBS, in partnership with Japan’s NHK, provided live coverage from inside the basilica, the first such access for a Taiwanese outlet. Cultural ambassador Lin Chi‑ling joined the reporting team, while HTC’s VIVE Arts and TS Financial Holding sponsored immersive and financial support for the broadcast. The ceremony highlighted the culmination of 144 years of construction on Gaudí’s masterpiece and attracted global attention to the engineering and cultural significance of the project.