The Largest Building in Spain
We know what you're thinking, and no, the tallest building in Spain isn't in Madrid or Barcelona. In Spain, we have spectacular architecture, from Romanesque buildings that any art history lover can appreciate to modern art that only the most discerning experts enjoy. However, there is one building that impresses everyone: the tallest building in the country.
On the outskirts of Gijón, Asturias, lies the largest building in Spain. With over 270,000 square meters and a central tower reaching 130 meters in height, this impressive architectural complex is a little-known gem that many compare to the great European monuments, even claiming that it is "more beautiful than St. Mark's Square in Venice."
We are talking about the Labor University of Gijón, which was built between 1946 and 1956 and was initially conceived as an orphanage for the children of miners, but soon transformed into a nationally recognized educational center.
Its design is inspired by classical architecture and may even remind you of a Renaissance monastery, with elements that evoke both El Escorial and the Acropolis of Athens. If you visit the northern part of the country and want to discover impressive architecture, you can't miss this place.
What is the building like inside?
The building is organized around a large central courtyard measuring 150 meters in length (though for courtyards, these you must visit in Andalusia), surrounded by galleries and flanked by the Church of Labor, which features the largest elliptical dome in Spain.
The tower, at 130 meters tall, stands as the highest lookout point in Asturias, offering spectacular views of Gijón and the cantabrian sea, just like this viewpoint that you can't miss.
Today, the Labor University has been reconfigured into the City of Culture of Gijón, a multidisciplinary space that houses institutions such as the LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Center, the Superior School of Dramatic Art of Asturias, and the Public Radio and Television of the Principality of Asturias.
In addition, its spacious facilities host concerts, exhibitions, and cultural activities throughout the year, a creative way to rediscover this iconic city space.
If you travel to Asturias, you can't miss this interesting place. It has become one of the most surprising places in northern Spain, a monument that continues to leave visitors in awe upon discovering it for the first time.