An unfinished cathedral edges towards the bright, clear blue skies above the town of Mejorada del Campo, central Spain. The impressive structure is primarily the work and vision of just one man, Justo Gallego Martinez, a former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trappists" target="_blank" target="_blank">Trappist </a>monk who has dedicated much of his life to constructing this symbol of his love and faith in God.<br />
An unfinished cathedral edges towards the bright, clear blue skies above the town of Mejorada del Campo, central Spain. The impressive structure is primarily the work and vision of just one man, Justo Gallego Martinez, a former Trappist monk who has dedicated much of his life to constructing this symbol of his love and faith in God.
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The 89-year-old Gallego has been building what is known locally as Don Justo's Cathedral, since 1963. He mainly uses recycled materials and excess items donated by local building companies.<br />
The 89-year-old Gallego has been building what is known locally as Don Justo's Cathedral, since 1963. He mainly uses recycled materials and excess items donated by local building companies.
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With dramatic spires, a series of huge domes, stained glass windows, a crypt, cloister and a number of intricate spiral staircases, the cathedral is an immense, complex structure spread out over 24,000 square feet.
With dramatic spires, a series of huge domes, stained glass windows, a crypt, cloister and a number of intricate spiral staircases, the cathedral is an immense, complex structure spread out over 24,000 square feet.
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Gallego had no formal architecture training or construction experience when he began working on the project more than 50 years ago. Here, he cuts tin to be used in the roof of his his cathedral.
Gallego had no formal architecture training or construction experience when he began working on the project more than 50 years ago. Here, he cuts tin to be used in the roof of his his cathedral.
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The interior of the unfinished cathedral. A deeply religious man, Gallego entered a monastery in his early 20s but contracted tuberculosis soon after.
The interior of the unfinished cathedral. A deeply religious man, Gallego entered a monastery in his early 20s but contracted tuberculosis soon after.
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Because of his illness, Gallego was expelled before taking his vows. The cathedral then became his own personal way of dedicating his life and work to God. The land which the structure is built on was bequeathed to him by his mother.
Because of his illness, Gallego was expelled before taking his vows. The cathedral then became his own personal way of dedicating his life and work to God. The land which the structure is built on was bequeathed to him by his mother.
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A colorful section of stain glass windows Gallego's cathedral. In a 2009 documentary, El Loco de la Catedral (The Madman and the Cathedral), Gallego described man's possibility to do amazing things if they have an ideal to strive for.
A colorful section of stain glass windows Gallego's cathedral. In a 2009 documentary, El Loco de la Catedral (The Madman and the Cathedral), Gallego described man's possibility to do amazing things if they have an ideal to strive for.
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Gallego designed the building mainly from images he had seen of other cathedrals and famous structures in books and magazines.
Gallego designed the building mainly from images he had seen of other cathedrals and famous structures in books and magazines.
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Small domes on the roof of the cathedral are pictured with the the residential buildings of Mejorada del Campo in the background. The largest dome is similar in appearance to the famous St Peter's basilica in the Vatican City.
Small domes on the roof of the cathedral are pictured with the the residential buildings of Mejorada del Campo in the background. The largest dome is similar in appearance to the famous St Peter's basilica in the Vatican City.
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Gallego receives some help for local volunteers and friends inspired by his commitment and unflinching single mindedness. Here the octogenarian (center) looks on as volunteers discuss the next stages of development.
Gallego receives some help for local volunteers and friends inspired by his commitment and unflinching single mindedness. Here the octogenarian (center) looks on as volunteers discuss the next stages of development.
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Planning permission has never been granted for Don Justo's Cathedral. This means it will likely never be used to serve mass or church services.
Planning permission has never been granted for Don Justo's Cathedral. This means it will likely never be used to serve mass or church services.
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But this hasn't deterred the sprightly Gallego who can still regularly be seen climbing scaffolding and dragging materials across the site as he painstakingly adds to his now giant structure.
The Spanish monk who built his own cathedral —
But this hasn't deterred the sprightly Gallego who can still regularly be seen climbing scaffolding and dragging materials across the site as he painstakingly adds to his now giant structure.
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