Munk Builds Cathedral From Scrap

For the past 50 years, the Spanish Monk, Justo Gallego Martinez, has devoted his life to constructing a Cathedral brick by brick. The masterpiece is in the town of Mejorada del Campo, 13 miles East of Madrid and it is referred to as, Don Justo.


In 1963, Martinez saw a vision in his head of a Cathedral. He had no blue prints, no money, and no permission, just faith. So he began collecting donations and recycled materials that he used for the Cathedral. Old car wheels shape the arches in most of the building, while oil drums are stacked on top of each other to make the columns. The project is very time consuming and calls for 10 hour workdays. The Cathedral has a library, homes for Priests, baptistery, and towers up to 200-feet in the Central areas. The Don Justo spreads 91,500 square feet.

Today Martinez in 88-years-old today and still is trying to complete his unfinished, massive Cathedral. Many describe him as a thin, old, white haired man who still continues to complete his life mission.

The Cathedral Martinez built.