Prepare to be astonished.

The article link is from 2005 – a bit more, including more links, from Wikipedia.

The essence is this: on some land 20 km outside of Madrid, a man is building a cathedral. (okay pedants…no bishop, no "cathedral." But you get the point)

And it’s no joke:

Many more photos at that first link. From the Wikipedia article (which basically condenses the text of the first piece)

As a young man, Gallego Martínez joined a Trappist monastery but had to leave in 1961 when he contracted tuberculosis. He began to build his cathedral on a plot of land he had inherited from his parents.

He is a farmer. "The plans have only ever existed in my head" and have evolved over time in response to opportunity and inspiration. Nor does he have formal planning permission or building permits from the authorities of Mejorada del Campo — the town in which it is located (20 km from Madrid under the flight-path to the Barajas airport). Nor does he have the benediction or support of the Catholic Church. After eight years in a Trappist order — and just prior to taking his vows — he was obliged to leave, considerably weakened by tuberculosis and the monastic regime. He explains: "It’s an act of faith." The cathedral has been bequeathed by him to the Bishopric of nearby Alcalá de Henares.

He says that his building is dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar ("Our Lady of the Pillar"), an advocation of Mary, mother of Jesus, whose main shrine is in Zaragoza. Its dome is 40 meters high. He has worked mainly alone, with the help of his six nephews and of occasional volunteers. Sometimes he had hired an expert at his own expense. He finances his work by renting or selling farmland he has inherited and through private donations. In 2005, an advertisement campaign for the Aquarius soft drink gave him and his cathedral Spain-wide exposure.

Most of the buildings materials and tools he uses for construction are recycled. He uses both everyday objects and excess construction materials donated by construction companies and a nearby brick factory. For instance, the columns have been molded with old petrol drums.

Gallego Martínez lives with his sister near his cathedral.

Here, at YouTube, you can watch the Aquarius ad (the website they put up is no longer functional it seems) as well as other video snippets about the project.

It’s like Cosmas got a second wind….

Via Don Jim