Elderly Madrid Man Builds Incredible Spanish Cathedral Entirely From Trash

This extraordinary cathedral made from salvaged materials has steadily risen over the past 50 years in a quiet Madrid neighborhood. Justo Martinez (who goes by Don Justo) has been working on the massive undertaking nearly single-handedly ever since he had to leave an order of monks due to illness. After recovering, he dedicated his life to building a church using his own money, on his own land. The massive undertaking is built almost entirely from local materials that he is able to salvage, and now topped out at 131 feet the cathedral just needs a few finishing touches — like a roof, some windows and permits.

While the cathedral’s design is loosely based on St. Peter’s Cathedral, Don Justo has created no formal drawings or engineering plans. His background in farming did not stop him from taking on such a challenging project, which incorporates motifs found in castles, churches, and even the White House. Most of the bricks are salvaged from nearby brick factories, and cathedral’s walls are certainly unorthodox. This video won the ‘special mention’ award at rutger hauers www.icfilms.org international filmfestival in milano 2010. thanks again for this wonderful recognition

Inzending voor de Korte Film competitie van het Nederlands Online Filmfestival NOFF 2009, onderdeel van het NFF in Utrecht.



A short movie about Don Justo Gallego, an 85 year old former monk in Spain. 50 years ago he started to build a cathedral on his own after he almost died. Not bothered by heat, cold, rain, wind, Don Justo works 6 days a week, 12 hours a day to follow his devotion. Filmmaker Maria Heidemann shows a portrait of this man who never gives up in an integer, almost intimate way. Unique pictures of Don Justo at work: full of determination and in his weakest moments. A film that touches the heart of the spectator.

Source inhabitat

Posted in don justo gallego , elderly man , madrid , maria heidemann , spain , Spanish Cathedral , trash