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All Spain Madrid The Giant of Extremadura
The Giant of Extremadura is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

The Giant of Extremadura

The lengthy skeleton of one of the tallest Spaniards of all time is on display in Madrid.

Madrid, Spain

Added By
Luis Morato
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The skeleton of the giant   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The plaster cast of his body, made by Dr. Velasco.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
A view of the skeleton of the giant   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The giant   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the skull   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The giant’s boot   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Agustín Luengo Capilla was born in the year 1849 in Puebla de Alcocer, a city in Extremadura, western Spain. He was known by the nickname of "el gigante de Extremadura" because he was one of the tallest Spaniards of all time, reaching a remarkable height of 7 feet and 8 inches (2 meters, 35 centimeters).

Luengo was born into a very humble family, but his unique stature led to an unordinary life. At the age of 12, he went to work in a circus exhibiting his enormous hands, which are said to be capable of hiding a loaf of bread.

Around that time the National Museum of Anthropology was being established in Madrid. The museum was headed by Dr. Pedro González Velasco. When the professor noticed of the existence of the giant, he contacted him, and they came to an agreement:  the professor would buy Luengo's corpse in exchange for a daily income of 2.50 pesetas while he lived. Upon his death, the remains would become part of Dr. Velasco's collection and would be displayed forever in his museum.

Sadly, the giant of Extremadura didn't enjoy his life annuity for long. He was diagnosed with advanced joint tuberculosis and died in Madrid on December 31, 1875, at the young age of 26. Today his large skeleton is displayed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid, along with a plaster cast of his body made by Dr. Velasco.

Update as of November 2022: The skeleton has been removed. 

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Skeletons Anatomy Museums Giant

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Added By

Luis Morato

Edited By

erjeffery

  • erjeffery

Published

September 20, 2017

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Sources
  • https://agustinluengocapilla.com/the-extremaduran-giant/
  • http://www.hoy.es/prov-badajoz/201610/17/otra-historia-gigante-extremeno-20161017215308.html
  • https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agust%C3%ADn_Luengo_Capilla
The Giant of Extremadura
Calle de Alfonso XII, 68
Madrid
Spain
40.407891, -3.688882
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