The curious Cathedral of Justo Gallego

Known as Justo Cathedral, located in Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, Spain, is a large structure that emulates the majesty of classical cathedrals. Justo Gallego, its architect, began construction of the cathedral on 12th October 1961 on agricultural land owned by his family. He devoted more than 50 years of his life to the monumental work, until his death.

With an area of 4,740 m2, the cathedral now stands 35 metres high. It has all the characteristic elements of a traditional cathedral, including the crypt, the cloister, the porticoes, the staircases, and even spiral staircases, among others.

Most of the materials used by Justo Gallego were recycled, both everyday objects and construction waste or waste from the nearby brick factory. For example, he used old petrol cans as moulds for the columns, or plastic cans filled with concrete for the pillars. And a simple bicycle wheel serves as a pulley. The shapes of the vaults and the dome are made from recycled wires, suitably bent, under a layer of lightweight concrete. The roofs, on the other hand, are made of overlapping recycled sheet metal.

In addition to its value as a work of architecture, Justo Gallego’s Cathedral is a powerful reminder of the human capacity to produce meaning from very limited resources. Its magnificence lies not only in its imposing presence, but also in the inspiring story of perseverance and creativity it represents.