The Sagrada Família has become the tallest church in the world, after workers placed the first part of a cross at the top of its central tower.

Now measuring 162.91 metres tall, the Spanish basilica has officially pipped the record from the Ulm Minster in Germany, which has held the crown since 1890.

Designed by acclaimed architect Antoni Gaudí, the place of worship has been under construction in the centre of Barcelona for more than a century, with the main building due to be completed next year.

The central Tower of Jesus Christ will grow with the addition of the rest of the cross over the next few months, eventually standing at 172 metres tall.

The first stone of the Sagrada Família was placed in 1882, with up-and-coming architect Gaudí taking over the project the following year.

He transformed the original designs for the basilica into a far more ambitious proposal, which was initially funded by donations from repentant worshippers.

At the time of his unexpected death in 1926, just one of the planned 18 towers had been built.

In the years following, the construction of the architectural marvel was managed by the Sagrada Família foundation, and funded by contributions from tourists, visitors and private donors.

In addition to the death of its primary architect, the basilica has hit a number of roadblocks throughout its almost 150-year construction.

During the Spanish Civil War, Catalan anarchists set fire to the crypt, destroying plans and plaster models created by Gaudí that would guide future construction.

Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic saw construction on the building halted, with members of the foundation attributing the pause to a lack of tourism, and the subsequent drop in funding for the project.

In September this year, Sagrada Família General Director Xavier Martínez told the Associated Press that the Tower of Jesus Christ would be completed in 2026, to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.

The foundation will hold a series of events to commemorate the architect, who is buried in the church's crypt.

Work on decorative details, sculptures and a stairway leading to the building's main entrance is expected to continue over the next decade.