The Universidad Laboral de Gijón was built between 1946 and 1956, about three kilometres from Jovellanos’ birthplace. It is the largest building constructed in Spain, with a surface area of 270,000 square metres. Gijón’s Universidad Laboral, a former orphanage, contains the world’s biggest oval church, with a marble floor that covers 800sqm (8,600sqft).
Its 117m (384ft) belltower is the tallest stone building in Spain and was modelled on Seville’s Giralda cathedral. Wander around the church’s cavernous interior – now used primarily for cultural events – and take a lift to the top of the tower for views over the city and surrounding countryside.
