In a small town on the outskirts of Madrid, Justo Gallego has undertaken a remarkable feat for the past 53 years. Almost entirely on his own and devoid of any formal architecture or construction training, he has tirelessly built a cathedral by hand.
At 90 years old, he confronts the reality that the completion of his Herculean task within his lifetime is improbable. Undeterred by the enormity of the project, Gallego persists day after day, each brick a reminder of his unwavering dedication. The cathedral, with its halls and cloisters, stands as a unique creation shaped by the hands of a farmer with a resolute spirit.
- Aachen Cathedral: How did UNESCO Pick the First World Heritage Sites?
- The Nine Domes of St Basil’s Cathedral and Russian Conquest
Gallego’s journey, driven by faith, transcends the limitations of age and expertise. As the elderly artisan reflects on his life’s work, he acknowledges the inevitability that he may not witness its completion. Yet, there’s an enduring hope that the cathedral, a manifestation of his devotion, will live on as a lasting tribute to the extraordinary determination of a man who, against all odds, embarked on a sacred mission to build something enduring and beyond himself.
Top image: Built by hand: the cathedral of Justo Gallego. Mejorada del Campo, Spain. Source: zofija/Adobe Stock
