The Association of Friends of the Cathedral of Astorga has agreed to designate Antonio Gaudí and Juan Bautista Grau Vallespinós as Senior Friends of the Cathedral 2026. The decision, adopted unanimously at the ordinary meeting of its Board of Directors held on February 25, is also part of the commemoration of the centenary of the centennial of the commemoration of the centenary of the architect’s death. of the architect’s death.
This recognition highlights the close relationship that united both figures and their deep ties with the Cathedral of Astorga. After the fire that destroyed the old episcopal residence in 1886, it was Bishop Grau who entrusted the young Gaudí with the design of a new building, the Gaudí Palace. Despite initial doubts about the innovative design, the prelate strongly supported the proposal, promoting its implementation as a symbol of continuity and strength of the diocese.
The relationship between the two went beyond the professional, forging a friendship that left a deep mark on the architect. Gaudí’s stay in Astorga marked a turning point in his career, influencing his conception of architecture as an expression of faith, understood as an authentic “catechesis of stone”.
After the bishop’s untimely death, Gaudí took on the responsibility of designing his burial in the Cathedral, respecting Grau’s wish to be buried at the feet of the Virgin, in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
Likewise, the Cathedral exerted a notable influence on the design of the Episcopal Palace. Elements such as the flying buttresses, the verticality of the structures or the richness of the stained glass windows find a clear parallelism between the two buildings. This connection is especially visible in spaces such as the chapel or the throne room of the Palace, where Gaudí reinterpreted the Gothic language with his unmistakable style.
As has been the tradition for more than three decades, the appointment will be made official on August 14, at the end of the solemn recitation of Vespers of the Assumption in the Cathedral. The award will be collected by the director of the Gaudí Palace, Víctor Manuel Murias Borrajo.