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Monument · Gijón, Astúrias
Universidad Laboral de Gijón
Complex built between 1948 and 1957, the largest building in Spain, with a tower of about 130 meters and an elliptical church; today it is the Laboral Cidade da Cultura.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Universidad Laboral de Gijón
The Universidad Laboral de Gijón is located in Cabueñes, on the eastern exit of the city, and is considered the most important architectural work of the Astúrias in the 20th century. With about 270,000 square meters, it is the largest building in Spain. The project was by the architect Luis Moya Blanco, and construction took place between 1948 and 1957.
The idea arose after a serious accident in an Astúrias mine in 1946: the complex was originally conceived as an orphanage for miners' children and became a vocational training school, which operated until 1979. The design resembles an ideal city, with a large central square surrounded by colonnades, a theatre, workshops and residences.
Highlights include the church, of elliptical plan and one of the largest in Spain, and the tower, about 130 meters high, from which you can see the whole complex, the city and the sea. After years of abandonment, the building was restored and, since 2007, is the Laboral Cidade da Cultura, housing the LABoral art center, the regional television station, a theatre and a university faculty.
There are guided tours of the complex and the tower. The building was declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 2016.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1.5 to 2 hours, including the guided tour and the tower visit.
Best time
In the morning or afternoon, during guided tour times; check before you go. On a clear day, the view from the tower reaches the sea.
How to get there
It is in Cabueñes, about 4 km from the center of Gijón, served by city buses. Next to it is the Jardim Botânico Atlântico.
Tip
Climb the tower: from the top you can grasp the complex's ideal-city design, with the square and the colonnades.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Universidad Laboral de Gijón
Why is the Universidade Laboral famous?
It is the largest building in Spain, with about 270,000 m², built between 1948 and 1957, with a tower of around 130 metres.
Can you go up the tower of the Universidade Laboral?
Yes, on guided tours. Check the times before you go.
What is housed in the building today?
The Laboral Cidade da Cultura, with an art centre, theatre, regional television and a college.