In the architectural complex of the Universidad Laboral there are three principal crosses: the Victory Cross, the cross on the lantern and the cross that crowns the tower. We will describe each of them over the course of the 75 years of history, of the 78 years of history since construction began in 1948

The Victory Cross, Asturian symbol on the main façade of the church

It was dismantled in 1998 because of its evident deterioration, without the slightest care being taken, and its remains ended up in the former welding workshop; in 1999 the first permit for its restoration was processed, but to no effect.

The remains stayed in the welding workshop until the refurbishment works began in 2005, when they were moved to various rooms of the Laboral, suffering deterioration through neglect that lasted until 2024, when the remains were recovered for restoration.

The Victory Cross was commissioned by the architect Luis Moya from the Madrid sculptor José Espinós Alonso (1911-1969) in 1952. It was installed in 1956, in bronze/brass. It consists of a central disc and four arms fixed to a frame. The front is formed of brass plates, with coloured glass gems (cibas) soldered onto them. Altogether it is a figure of the coat of arms of Asturias weighing some 200 kilos, more than three and a half metres high by three metres wide.

The Victory Cross is flanked by two angels, one on either side, and together with the Virgin of Covadonga they are the two representative symbols of Asturias in the architectural complex of the Universidad Laboral.

Set of photographs from the period of neglect from 1999 onwards

After 25 years of neglect following its dismantling, the works on the church dome in 2024 brought it to light again, and the work of the sculptor José Espinós Alonso did not end up, miraculously and fortunately, in a rubbish skip; what had been the only symbol of Asturias, together with the image of the Virgin of Covadonga, was now just a jumble of dirty remains piled up awaiting restoration and return to its original place on the church

Original design of the cross, and the cross installed from 1956 onwards

As can be seen, the state in which the cross was left after its dismantling was lamentable. The neglect that prevailed from 1999 onwards in the premises of the Universidad Laboral can be seen in the photographs, taken in different years, of the room with the washbasins. Moreover, until the Principado took charge of the premises in 2001, it could be said that people entered and gained access to many rooms without any kind of control, as can also be seen from the missing glass gems (cibas) in the remains shown.

Restoration of the Victory Cross in 2024

In 2024, as a complement to the works on the church dome, the Dirección General de Patrimonio del Gobierno de Asturias decided to recover the Victory Cross dismantled in 1998 and, once restored, to return it to its original place on the façade of the church.

The restoration work was undertaken by the Avilés sculpture and art foundry workshop named Auriga, which, we can say today, did an impeccable job that involved, in addition to the work on the cross, the repair of its support

Series of photographs of the restoration work