Don Justo Martinez's Cathedral Built Entirely From Trash In Spain (PHOTOS)

From Inhabitat.com:

We've seen some mind-boggling cathedrals in our time, but few top this one, which was built single-handedly from trash by a man named Justo Martinez in Madrid, Spain. The holy man started the soaring structure nearly 50 years ago in a quiet neighborhood, and has been working on it since. The impressive church is built almost entirely from local materials salvaged by Martinez, and now stands at a soaring 131 feet tall.

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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.

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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.

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Rank #2  |  Average: 4

I'm not inspired. Holy cow! This is one amazing building!

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Comments

[americanatheist]

12:57 AM on 02/03/2011

What a waste of perfectly good garbage.

[FrancescoFemia]

10:24 AM on 01/28/2011

Astounding. Wonderful. Best thing I've seen in a long while.

[Squib]

12:34 PM on 01/22/2011

The concept of a building a house of God in an age of environmental degradation with recycled materials is simply so spot on to the teachings and spirit of Christ. Those who are members of the faith should be taking notes. Especially here in the US.

[westreal]

11:55 AM on 01/21/2011

Simply amazing. A modern day masterpiece. I must visit Madrid to see this.

[DannyEVillage]

08:58 AM on 01/21/2011

I like it. A lot.

[Aldo Rodriguez]

08:58 AM on 01/21/2011

On this edition of 'Extreme Recycling'...

[BoFo]

04:09 AM on 01/21/2011

Kind of a low-rent Gaudi. Very cool.

[MR R]

10:29 PM on 01/20/2011

holy crap.. literally...

reminds me of this guy http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2006/12/27/russian-wooden-highscraper/

i obviously need to stop being lazy and get to work building that palace i always wanted...

[f8doggie]

10:34 AM on 01/20/2011

He applies for a permit After it is nearly built? This guy walks on water. Uh...

[wackette]

08:29 AM on 01/20/2011

Do the monks throw you out if you get sick? How do you get away with building for 50 yrs
with no permit? Don Justo sounds like a remarkable man... his life would make an interesting
movie. Good luck on the permitting, Don!

[sisterdebmac]

10:28 AM on 01/20/2011

Well, TB is highly contagious, so I would imagine no one wanted to live in close quarters with him when he was sick.

[MichaelMcKLA]

01:52 AM on 01/20/2011

Reminds me of the single-minded determination of the man who built LA's Watts Towers.

http://www.wattstowers.us/

[Jtt]

04:25 AM on 01/20/2011

I love those. This is a beautiful church.

[dadw5boys]

12:27 AM on 01/20/2011

Now that would be one heck of a Vaction to plan for a family.
Just go there and help him work on the church or clean the place.
The kids could learn so much. Well kids could not be too young.

[Stalling]

08:22 PM on 01/19/2011

Wow can't even comment about a building without being censored.

[wackette]

08:17 AM on 01/20/2011

Nazi-Nun is on duty.

[monroele]

08:07 PM on 01/19/2011

Reminds me of Watts Tower in LA. Gaudi really started that trend using recycled material.

I work a lot with recycled stuff too, but it is difficult because the neighbors look at me like I am stealing their trash and I always ask for permission.

[rcthomp]

07:55 PM on 01/19/2011

Mind blown.