Pedro Muguruza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Muguruza
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| Director-General for Architecture | |
| In office 30 September 1939 – 8 March 1946 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 May 1893 Madrid |
| Died | 3 February 1952 (aged 58) Madrid |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Architect, illustrator, politician, goalkeeper, professor |
Pedro Muguruza Otaño (born 1893, died 1952) was a Spanish architect. He was also involved in politics during his time. He is known for designing many important buildings and helping to rebuild Spain after a major conflict.
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Early Life and Education
Pedro Muguruza was born in Madrid, Spain, on May 25, 1893. His family came from a town called Elgoibar. He studied architecture at the School of Architecture of Madrid. He finished his degree in 1916.
While studying, he met other students who would become famous architects. Pedro was known for his amazing drawing skills. He also loved sports and played as a goalkeeper for the football team Atlético de Madrid.
Becoming a Professor
Soon after graduating in 1917, Pedro Muguruza started working as a lecturer. He taught at the School of Architecture. In March 1920, he became a full professor. He taught about architectural projects and design details.
In 1921, he married Mercedes Peironcely y Puig de la Bellacasa. They did not have any children.
Important Architectural Projects
Pedro Muguruza designed many important buildings in the 1920s. Some of his famous projects include:
- The France Station in Barcelona (1923).
- The Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid (1925). This building is on a famous street called Gran Vía.
- A tall monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bilbao. It was 40 meters high and had a sculpture by Lorenzo Coullaut Valera.
- A housing project in Plaza de Rubén Darío (1929).
He also led projects to restore old and important buildings. These included the Monastery of El Paular and the famous Prado Museum.
During the time of the Spanish Second Republic, he designed several markets. These included the Santa María de la Cabezas market (1933) and the Maravillas market (1935).
Role in Government Architecture
When the Spanish Civil War began in 1936, Pedro Muguruza moved to the side led by Francisco Franco. After the war ended in 1939, Franco asked him to help organize architecture in Spain.
In June 1939, Pedro Muguruza led a meeting of architects in Madrid. They discussed how architecture would be designed under the new government. He became the Chief of Architecture Services. Later, he was appointed as the Director-General for Architecture. He held this important position from September 30, 1939, to March 8, 1946.
Designing the Valle de los Caídos
One of Pedro Muguruza's most significant projects was designing the Valle de los Caídos. This was a very large monument. He worked on this project with his student, Diego Méndez. They wanted the site to represent the ideas of the new government. Pedro Muguruza directed the building work until 1949. He left the project due to health reasons and Diego Méndez took over.
Pedro Muguruza passed away in Madrid on February 3, 1952, at the age of 58.
