If you love big, sky-grabbing churches, keep your eye on Barcelona. The Sagrada Família is closing in on a milestone: Once its central Tower of Jesus is finished — planned at about 172–172.5 meters (about 565 feet) — the basilica will overtake every church on earth, edging past Germany’s Ulm Minster (161.5 m / 530 feet).
As of late summer 2025, the tower had already cleared 155 meters (508 feet) and become Barcelona’s tallest building, with completion projected for late 2025 or early 2026.
Until that topping-out happens, these are the current giants:
Ulm Minster — 161.5 m (Germany)
A parish church with cathedral-size ambition, Ulm’s filigreed Gothic spire remains the world’s tallest. The number is precise—161.53 meters—and you can climb into its lacework of stone for wind, bells, and views over the Danube. Its story stretches from a 14th-century foundation to 19th-century completion and a community that built high without princely coffers.
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace — 158 m (Côte d’Ivoire)
On the savanna of Yamoussoukro, this luminous basilica pairs African light with classical symmetry. It holds a different record—largest church by area—and its height, including the cross, reaches 158 meters (518 feet). Travelers often compare its dome with St. Peter’s, but the vast lawns and blue Ivorian sky give it a welcome all its own.
Cologne Cathedral — 157.2 m (Germany)
Two needle-like spires anchor Cologne’s skyline and frame the Rhine’s bustle below. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral’s façade is a masterpiece of Gothic ambition; step inside and the vertical lines do what they were designed to do—draw your gaze higher.
Height matters (to believers and curious visitors alike)
The Church teaches that sacred art is “true and beautiful” when it leads us to glorify the mystery of God (CCC 2502). You don’t need a theology degree to feel that: height can make space for quiet, widen the heart, and spark big questions about purpose and hope. These buildings are invitations—to pray, to study craft, or simply to stand in wonder together.
In Barcelona, time your visit to see cranes at work and the new tower rising; it’s living architecture, and when the cross is finally set, you’ll be there for a once-in-a-century moment. In Ulm, take the stairs (lots of them) for a roofline view that makes the medieval dream feel surprisingly modern. In Yamoussoukro, linger on the esplanade at sunset—the basilica glows. And in Cologne, pop out of the train station and you’re practically at the doors; even a short stop can add a shot of awe to your day.
Soon, Sagrada Familia will wear the crown. For now, these three remind us what human hands can do when they aim high — stone by stone, prayer by prayer, welcome wide enough for everyone.
