Former Monk Spends 50 YEARS Creating Giant Cathedral Junk
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Justo Gallego Martinez, an 86-year-old farmer from Spain, has spent the
last 50 years of his life single-handedly building a large cathedral in a
suburb of Madrid, without any architectural knowledge or construction
experience.
Considering the sheer size of Justo Gallego’s junk cathedral, almost 40
meters (131 feet) tall, with its large dome and spires towering over
nearby apartment buildings, it’s almost impossible to believe it’s the
work of a single man. But it just goes to show how far people can
stretch their limits in the name of a higher purpose. In Gallego’s case,
it was his faith and love of God. His mother was very pious and he grew
up with a deep Christian faith and an overwhelming desire to dedicate
himself to the Creator. After working as a farmer and as a bullfighter,
Don Justo, as everyone calls him, joined a Trappist monastery, where he
spent eight years as a monk. He was forced to leave the monastery in
1961, after he contracted tuberculosis, but promised himself that if he
survived the illness he would dedicate his life to building a a chapel
in the name of the Lady of The Pillar (the Blessed Virgin Marry), who he
prayed to during the ordeal. His prayers were answered and he stayed
true to his vow, laying the first brick of what would become a unique
cathedral, almost 50 years ago.
Photo — Javier Martin Espartosa
Most people thought Don Justo was crazy to take on such an epic
challenge, but he never paid any attention to their insults, instead
focusing all his efforts on his project. He never had any formal plans
for his cathedral, nor did he have the necessary construction materials,
but he put his faith in God and knew it would all work out in the end.
Martinez has spent every morning for the last half century gathering all
kinds of discarded everyday objects as well as building materials
leftover by nearby construction companies from their own jobs, and
fitting them in his grand design. The columns of his junk cathedral were
molded using empty oil drums, and the cover of one cupola is made out
of cut up food tubes. Don Justo says his cathedral is partly modeled on
St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican, but also features elements from
the White House, various medieval castles and Madrid churches.
Photo — Javier Martin Espartosa
Justo Gallego worked on the cathedral mainly by himself, occasionally
getting help from his six nephews and volunteers, and although he always
worked in a hurry, hoping to see the whole thing finished, there’s only
so much one man can do. The shell of the edifice may be almost
complete, but he still has much work to do. There are thousands of
windows to paint, the central dome has yet to be covered, the floor is
bare and the spiraling staircases are only half done. Don Justo is well
aware he might not live long enough to see his masterpiece finished, but
still he says ”When I look at what I’ve created, it overwhelms me and I
give thanks to the Lord.”
Photo — Dubas
The junk cathedral of Mejorada del Campo has never been authorized, but
so far the town council has tolerated the illicit structure. Ever since
Gallego’s amazing story spread on the internet, his life’s work has been
bringing in a steady flow of tourists. It has become a local icon, and
Don Justo hopes it will one day serve as a fully functional cathedral,
although chances of that ever happening are very slim. ”It’s very
difficult to get a license now,” architect Pablo Queralto told the BBC.
”For example the bricks don’t meet minimum
standards, either in themselves or the way they’ve been laid.”
Photo — Co0ntraband
Whatever happens, one thing is for certain, Justo Gallego Martinez
doesn’t regret a single day of the many he’s put into his junk
cathedral. ”If I lived my life again, I’d build this church again, only
bigger. Twice the size,” he says. ”Because for me, this is an act of
faith.”
Photo — Jorge Louzao Penalva
Photo — Dubas
