The Cathedral of Don Justo
For the last 40 years, 81-year-old Justo Gallego Martínez has been building his own cathedral in Mejorada del Campo, Spain out of scavenged materials. From citynoise.org:
This is no “model” cathedral and he is neither a qualified architect, nor engineer, nor bricklayer — he is a farmer. “The plans have only ever existed in my head” and have evolved over time in response to opportunity and inspiration. Nor does he have formal planning permission from the authorities of Mejorada del Campo — the town in which it is located (20 km from Madrid under the flight-path to the Barajas airport).
The shell of the building is complete — covering the 20×50 metre plot. Some 8,000 square meters have been built — or are underway. They include a complex ensemble of cloisters, offices, lodgings and a library. The cathedral already has a dome (modelled on St Peters) rising to some 40 metres, some 12 metres in diametre — whose steel girders were raised with the aid of his six nephews using pulleys. He was unable to get the loan of a crane. In summer volunteers may lend a hand, but for the heavy work he hires a local assistant at his own expense. It is estimated that it may take another 15 to 20 years to complete — although Don Justo does not know. He prefers not to speak about the future. How long he will still be physically able to continue working on it is uncertain.

* More on Don Justo from NPR
* Previously in the Proceedings: Vollis Simpson’s Windmill Farm, Bishop Castle, Coral Castle, Quigley’s Castle, Le Palais Ideal of Postman Cheval, Onan’s Gold Pyramid House, the 16-Year Hunt for Dreamed Treasure
[Acknoweldgements to Tristan Ruusunen]
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