The Laboral of Gijón, history and tips for visiting the monumental building

You know what The Labor of Gijon It is considered by its dimensions as the largest building in Spain?

Indeed, with its 270.000 square meters, this majestic building has been one of the icons of the coastal city of Gijón, and your visit should not be missing from the agenda of a trip through Asturias.

Since the first time I went to Gijón, many years ago, I was always struck by the majesty of the building that was then the headquarters of the Labor University, and which at that time was not a tourist attraction.

Now, after its last remodeling, and since 2007, the building is the headquarters of Labor City of Culture, a space where different things are concentrated cultural institutions,

But in recent times it has also become one of the most popular meeting points for residents, and a must-see for tourists travelling to Gijón.

History and tips for visiting the Laboral in Gijón

In anticipation of your visit, here are some tips: historical data and curiosities about Laboral de Gijón, as well as tips for your visit.

You should know that this building, which has always been identified as the headquarters of one of the labour universities that were set up during the Franco regime, was not actually built for that purpose.

It was in 1945 when, after a serious work accident in a mine in the Caudal basin, it was decided to start the construction of a school for orphans of parents who were victims of mining accidents.

This project contemplated housing up to a thousand students with all types of facilities for student life, including residence, industrial workshops, farm or sports facilities.

From an orphanage project to a professional university

But during the construction process under the direction of the Madrid architect Luis Moya White, the labor ministry decided to create the aforementioned labor universities, So the orphanage project was reconverted into the Labor University of Gijón.

You will not be surprised to learn that the direction and management of this new labor university was entrusted to the Jesus company and the nuns of the Order of the Poor Clares.

It was not until 1978, after the arrival of democracy in Spain, when the management passed into the hands of the university's teaching staff.

A sample of the majesty of the building is that, in its time, the Labor University of Gijón It was the largest secondary education institute in Spain, with more than 3.000 students.

As it happened with the Parthenon in Athens, the building of the Labor It was conceived by its architect with his back to the city ​​of Gijón, so that to reach its entrance you had to go around it and, in this way, appreciate its grandeur.

What are the dimensions of the Gijón Laboral?

Another example of this grandeur is its enormous central courtyard, 150 metres long and 50 metres wide, with dimensions similar to those of the famous St. Mark's Square in Venice.

Church of the Laboral of Gijón

In line with the period in which it was built, the architectural complex could not be missing a large church, which became the largest elliptical church in the world.

On the outside, the large Corinthian figures and the majestic figures stand out, among which the Virgin of Covadonga and the Apostle Santiago on horseback.

Bronze, marble and colored stones are materials that are abundant both outside and inside the house. La Laboral church in Gijón.

To highlight the wood embero brought from Equatorial Guinea with which the church pews were made with capacity for a thousand students and teachers.

The large tower next to the church is 130 metres high and is the tallest building in Asturias and the tallest stone building in Spain.

You can climb the Laboral tower in Gijón Signing up for the guided tours that take place every day in this great cultural center.

Program of shows at the Laboral Theater

El Laboral Theater It has capacity for up to 1.500 people, and in its time it was the first fully air-conditioned theater in Europe.

Currently it offers an extensive show programming, among which there is no shortage of great classical music concerts, like the one I was able to see on my last visit, and musicals.

Among the various institutions that are now focused on Gijón Laboral they find the Faculty of Commerce, Tourism and Social Sciences, the Higher School of Dramatic Arts of Asturias and the Conservatory of Music.

Art Center of the Labor

Finally I will highlight that outside the main building, where the old university workshops were located, you now have LABoral Center for Art and Industrial Creation,

This is a center of contemporary art exhibitions, as well as a place where research, workshops and training courses are carried out, and which you can also visit.