Justo Gallego Martínez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justo Gallego Martínez
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 20 September 1925 |
| Died | 28 November 2021 (aged 96) Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, Spain
|
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Other names | Don Justo |
| Occupation | Church builder, former Trappist monk |
Justo Gallego Martínez (born September 20, 1925 – died November 28, 2021) was also known as Don Justo. He was a man from Spain who became famous for building a large church by himself. He started this amazing project in 1961 in the town of Mejorada del Campo. What makes his church special is that he used mostly recycled materials. Don Justo built this unique building to honor Our Lady of the Pillar.
Contents
Early Life and His Dream
Justo Gallego Martínez grew up working on a farm. His mother was very religious and taught him a strong Catholic faith. He often said he loved the Church very much. Justo's school days were stopped by the Spanish Civil War. When he was ten, he saw difficult times for the church in his town. These events made him less trusting of the local government.
As a young man, he joined a Trappist monastery. Trappists are a group of monks who live a very simple and strict life. In 1961, Justo became very sick with tuberculosis. Because of his illness and the hard life of the monks, he had to leave the monastery before he could become a full monk.
Building a "Cathedral" from Scratch
Justo had made a promise. He said that if he got better from tuberculosis, he would build a special place of worship. He wanted to honor Our Lady of the Pillar, to whom he had prayed. So, he began building on land he got from his parents. On October 12, 1961, he started his project. This date is important because it is the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar.
Justo never drew up formal plans for his building. People in the area called it "the cathedral from junk." He simply leveled the ground and started mapping out where things would go. The building grew and changed over time. He got ideas from famous buildings like St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. He also looked at the White House and other castles and churches in Spain.
The main building is about 20 meters (65 feet) wide and 50 meters (164 feet) long. The total area of the building is about 8,000 square meters (86,000 square feet). Under the main building, there is a crypt. Next to it are smaller chapels, cloisters, rooms, and a library. The main dome is about 40 meters (131 feet) high. It is about 12 meters (39 feet) across.
Most of the materials he used were recycled. He also used everyday objects and extra building materials. Construction companies and a nearby brick factory donated some items. For example, the large columns were shaped using old petrol drums. He built the entire structure without using a crane.
Justo usually started working at 6 AM. He worked for ten hours every day, except Sundays. The local priest, Eusebio Sanchez Dominges, said Justo was a very religious man. He went to Mass every Sunday.
Help and Funding for the Project
Justo Gallego worked mostly by himself for nearly 60 years. However, a local man named Ángel López Sánchez helped him. His six nephews also gave him support. For example, they helped put up the large beams for the dome. Sometimes, volunteers would also come to help. He would sometimes pay an expert for advice.
In 2005, a TV ad for the Aquarius soft drink featured him and his cathedral. This made him and his project famous all over Spain. Justo lived nearby with his sister. He paid for his work by selling and renting some of the farmland he had inherited. People who visited or supported his work also gave him private donations.
Before he died, Don Justo gave his huge building to a group called Messengers of Peace. This group promised to finish his life's work.
Official Permits for the Building
An architect offered to help Justo for free. This architect wanted to help make the building legal.
The building does not have official planning permission. It also does not have building permits from the local government. The Catholic Church does not officially support it either. However, the town authorities named the street where the church stands "Calle Antonio Gaudí". This is after a famous architect who designed another well-known unfinished church, the Sagrada Familia.
His Final Days
Justo Gallego Martínez passed away in Madrid on November 28, 2021. He was 96 years old. He died inside his "Cathedral." He had wished to be buried in its crypt. However, local officials found that the crypt did not meet health rules. So, he was buried in the cemetery of Mejorada del Campo instead.
See also
