Italian artist, Giuliano Mauri, is famous for his design in natural architecture. He has participated in many architecture collaborations like the Venice Biennale, Biennale of Penne, and Milan Triennale.
His Cattedrale Vegetale, or Tree Cathedral, is probably the most beautiful of all. To make his vision a reality, Mauri planted two groves of trees that would grow into breath taking basilicas. The cathedral has 42 columns, which form a basilica for five isles.
He began the structure of his Tree Cathedral by creating cages with tree stumps and working with branches and tree trunks. Once they were complete, he planted the two groves of trees that included 80 horn-bean saplings inside the cages. They'll eventually grow into tall trees, that will fill the gaps as the wood disintegrates over time.
This project was immense, using 1,800 spruce trunks and 600 chestnut tree branches that are then secured together by using 6,000 meters of hazelnut twigs. That was achieved by using traditional methods of intertwining and weaving. As they grow, it'll create a natural roof over the cathedral.
The cathedral is massive, taking up 650 sq. meters, and took months to create. Over 90 feet long and 80 feet wide, with a height varying from 16 feet up to 70 feet tall, it's really a sight to behold.
Mauri began his creation back in 2001 but sadly passed away in 2009. Completed just a year later, the cathedral now stands as a memorial to Mauri.
The Tree Cathedral is located at the foot of Mount Arera, in Northern Italy.
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