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

PHOTOS: Man Spends 50 Years Building Stunning Cathedral From Trash
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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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While the cathedral's design is loosely based on St. Peter's Cathedral, Don Justo has created no formal drawings or engineering plans. (credit:Dubasdey)
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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. (credit:Dubasdey)
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Most of the bricks are salvaged from nearby brick factories, and the cathedral's walls are certainly unorthodox. (credit:Dubasdey)
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After leaving life as a farmer to become a Benedictine Monk, Don Justo came down with tuberculosis which forced him out of the monastery in a greatly weakened state. (credit:Viajar24h.com)
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He promised himself that if he survived he would erect a church dedicated to the Lady of The Pillar who he prayed to during that turbulent time. (credit:Viajar24h.com)
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The roof is adorned with countless tons of salvages bricks and locally-salvaged tiles, and paint buckets sprout from the towers. (credit:Dubasdey)
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So far the cathedral totals an astonishing 8,000 square meters.
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The many concrete support columns are formed from old oil drums. (credit:Jose.Madrid)
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Donated materials make up the bulk of the rest of the construction. Don Justo gets some help with the labor from his nephews and an assistant. (credit:Jose.Madrid)
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While the building has neither plans nor permits, so far the City of Madrid has tolerated its existence. (credit:Jose.Madrid)
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Martinez is in the process of consulting with an architect to formally apply for a permit so that when the building is closer to completion it may be used as a house of worship. (credit:Jose.Madrid)
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Don Justo's dedication will surly inspire others through this bold and committed endeavor. (credit:Viajar24h.com)
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(credit:Jose.Madrid)

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