The largest building in Spain: an architectural masterpiece spanning 270 000 m² and rising 129 meters high

This building, located on the outskirts of Gijón (Asturias) is considered the biggest building in Spain with more than 270 000 square metres. Nowadays, it is known as the City of Culture, but originally it was the Universidad Laboral de Gijón (Labour University of Gijón). It has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, the great majority of its buildings have functions related to education and culture, and can be visited by tourists. Here is an overview of its history and monumentality.

Past and present of the biggest building in Spain

The building of this huge work began in the mid-1940s, during the Franco regime, when mining was one of the most important activities in the Spanish economy. In fact, its origin was to become an orphanage for children who had lost their parents in accidents in the mines.

As a result, the works were carried out between 1948 and 1957. Until José Antonio Girón, its main promoter, the Minister of Labour, was removed from his position. By then, that initial intention of being an orphanage had been forgotten, and it had turned towards its function as an educational centre. Thus, at a time when this type of institution was developing all over the country, it became the "Universidad Laboral de Gijón".

As it is above mentioned, it is now known as the City of Culture and consists of several schools, the Vocational Training Centre, the Professional Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Higher School of Dramatic Arts. Besides, there are also a museum of contemporary art and a great theatre, which are the most attractive places for tourists.

The keys to visiting the Laboral University of Gijón

Luis Moya was the architect of this amazing building. As a first point of interest, it should be noted that the building does not face Gijón, so it does not follow the logical layout proposed by the city. As with other iconic sites such as the Parthenon in Athens, this original Laboral University was designed in such a way that, when approaching it from Gijón, visitors had to walk around the building to appreciate its magnitude.

Its 129-metre-high tower is the first thing that stands out when you approach the building. Of course, one notices the tower long before arriving at the place. For its construction, the architect was inspired by the Giralda of Seville Cathedral or the Tower of Hercules, the Roman lighthouse that survives in A Coruña.

These buildings are breathtaking, especially the church. It is located in the courtyard and has an elliptical floor plan of 807 square metres, so it is the largest of these features in the world. The building had to be designed in this way, as it was built with the idea of accommodating a thousand students and teachers. Taking a few minutes to appreciate its small details of its external decoration is totally necessary.

Not forgetting its central courtyard, whose measurements are like the ones of the San Marcos’ Square in Venice. As it is mentioned before, this building was designed to be as a city, for that reason, the courtyard is 150 metres long and 50 metres wide. For these reasons and many others, the old University of Gijón is a must when visiting Asturias.

You can also read this article in Spanish and French.

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