Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica became the world’s tallest church Thursday after a part of its central tower was lifted into place.

Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece now rises to 162.91 metres (534 feet), officials said in a statement, putting it just above the former tallest church, Germany’s Ulmer Münster, which tops out at 161.53 (530 feet) metres.

In the coming months, Sagrada Familia's central tower will reach 172 meters (564 feet).

Construction on the unfinished church has sped up in recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction.

Church officials announced earlier this year that work on the exterior is expected to be finished in 2026 with interior construction completed in around ten years time.

AP video by Hernan Munoz