Ulm loses record: Sagrada Família trumps the Münster Tower!

Ulm loses record: Sagrada Família trumps the Münster Tower!

Ulm Minster will hold the record for the tallest church tower in the world until 2026, but after that the title will pass to the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. This world-famous basilica, which has been growing steadily since its foundation stone was laid in 1882, will, with its impressive height of 172.5 meters, exceed Ulm Minster by 10.5 meters Schwäbische.de reported.

The planned glass cross, which will be erected on the highest tower, the “Tower of Jesus Christ”, will be 17 meters high and 13 meters wide. With this cross the total height of the Sagrada Família is reached, making it the highest steeple church in the world. The glass cross will weigh 50 tons and has accessible arms that offer visitors a unique view.

The factory in Gundelfingen

Joseph Gartner GmbH from Gundelfingen, a town only about 40 kilometers from Ulm Minster, is responsible for the construction of the glass cross. The company originally had a planning order, which was later expanded to include the entire project. A first sample of the cross was exhibited in Gundelfingen in August and received positive feedback. From mid-September, the model construction will be presented in the courtyard of the Sagrada Família, which has close ties to the region, even though the Sagrada Família is in Spain.

Joseph Gartner GmbH has also made a name for itself through international projects such as the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. Their developments will have a decisive impact on the Sagrada Família, while construction is expected to be completed by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death.

A masterpiece of architecture

The Sagrada Família is considered one of the most important works of the architect Antoni Gaudí and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. It attracts millions of tourists every year - in 2022 there were around 3.8 million visitors. Gaudí took over the project in 1883 and dedicated the last 43 years of his life to it. In addition to the Nativity facade, which depicts the birth of Jesus, the Passion facade and the Glory facade, which are still under construction, are also part of this monumental building.

The basilica has a cruciform floor plan, with a five-aisled nave and a three-aisled transept. A total of 18 towers are planned, with the central tower, as already mentioned, reaching a height of 172.5 meters. Despite various challenges, including financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, completing the structure remains an ambitious goal.

In the next few years it will be exciting to see how both the Ulm Minster and the Sagrada Família continue to develop. While Ulm can defend its record until 2026, Barcelona will usher in a new era in architectural history.