Built in Gijón between 1946 and 1956, the Universidad Laboral has taking on many guises throughout its lifetime.
Originally built as an orphanage to care for children who had lost their parents in mining accidents, the Universidad Laboral was renovated and re-opened in 2007 and still operates as an Institute of education but is also home to a local television station, a school of dramatic arts, a stunning theater, a very prestigious LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (Art and Industrial Creation Centre) as well as many offices dedicated to research and development and tourism.
Back in its inception, architect Luis Moya Blanco and his team set about designing a building that would herald in a new Spain and be a symbol of recovery from the dark times of civil war. The Universidad Laboral construction was controversial as it was seen as a pet project of the then dictator General Franco, built with ulterior motives and reviled by some but the project remained true to its design and for many decades facilitated education for the children of Asturias.
The main complex is made up of a large gated entrance, a courtyard, a church with one of the largest elliptical domes in the world, the tallest stone clock tower in Spain, a theater and many workshop areas. In its surrounds there are many other places of interest including the botanical gardens and a LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (Art and Industrial Creation Centre). The Universidad Laboral itself is considered to be the largest stone construction building ever made in Spain.
The Universidad Laboral is a unique structure that creates a sense of awe when first visited. The classical industrial architecture holds many wonders and secrets in its walls and time will pass unnoticed as visitors walk through the corridors of this magnificent building.
There is a well priced café on site with a garden terrace open throughout the summer and offers a great place to rest a while and take in Laborals grandeur.
To access the church and tower as well as the hall of murals, visitors should organize a guided tour at the reception in order to get the most out of their visit the Universidad Laboral.
We would like to offer a huge thanks to architect Jorge Alonso for agreeing to present the video and imparting to us his knowledge and passion of Laboral.
We would also like to thank the good people of RECREA for allowing us to film and offering help when needed.
If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com