The man who is building his Cathedral
Justo Gallego Martínez (Born in Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, in 1925), is a Spanish ex-monk who is building his own Cathedral in his village.
When he was 27, he joined a monastery in Soria and was expelled without having done his vows when he got tuberculosis to avoid infection of other monks.
Justo started his Cathedral in a piece of land inherited from his parents. He didn't have the Catholic Church support. Justo says his Cathedral is a symbol of his faith in Christ and it is dedicated to "Nuestra Señora del Pilar".
He has built most of the building by himself, with the help of his six nephews one moment in time and some volunteers who work in summer for the Cathedral. Volunteers come to Mejorada from all around the world. "About 2,000 people visit the cathedral", says Justo.
He has sometimes contracted a specialist' services with his own money, and builds his cathedral up with donated money or renting lands of his property for agriculture working.
There are neither plans nor official project for his job. Justo usually says he has all that "into his mind". He is not an specialized builder or brick-layer, what is more, he had to give his elementary studies up when he was a child because of the Spanish Civil War.
He acquired the knowledge on how to build a cathedral by means of books related to cathedrals and castles. Most of the materials used in the construction are recycled, using quotidian objects and materials thrown away by a building company and a brick factory in Mejorada, that sometimes donates him bricks to follow with his job.
An example is the large gas can used to build the columns, and a bike wheel is occasionaly used as a pulley.
His job allowed him to make an advertising sport for "Aquarius", in 2005. He was paid 30,000 € in concept of give in the Cathedral for a three-days-shooting. All the money he took was used in the building. This advertisement allowed people to know about the cathedral, and thanks that fact, visits increased considerably, donations too.
The Modern Art Museum in New York dedicated an exposition to the job of Justo Gallego.
Nowadays, Justo lives with her sister and brother-in-law near his cathedral. People think he could have been rich if he had dedicated his lands in the construction of flats or houses instead of his cathedral, but Justo's motto is "Serving God, then fellows and last myself is the key of happiness".
Justo Gallego suffers from aphonia, as he lost his voice, you can find a piece of paper with Justo's story.
Justo Gallego suffers from aphonia, as he lost his voice, you can find a piece of paper with Justo's story.
I have personally visited Justo's Cathedral and I have to confess this was an astonishing experience. What I felt... peace and emotion at the same time. There are no boundaries in a person's illusion and inspiration. For me, Justo Gallego is a hero. He never gave up, he has dedicated his life to what he thought was his destiny, and offers his daily job to thank he is alive.
Here you can see some photographs of Justo's Cathedral:
