Amidst the medieval stones of historic squares, a new generation of artisans is meticulously restoring heritage sites to their former glory. Armed with chisels, mallets, and pointers, these stonemasons, or canteros, are chipping away not only at stone but also at long-held stereotypes. One of them is Elena, a 35-year-old mason who is a powerful voice in a field where women remain a minority.
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“Stonemasonry is anchored to an idea of it being a job of strength, and that’s not the case,” Elena explained in an interview with La Sexta. “From my point of view, this job has no gender; it’s more about technique than force.”
Her words challenge a common perception of stone carving as a profession exclusively for men. Elena argues that the craft is a delicate balance of artistry and precision, a view she embodies while working on historic structures like the Parador Hostal de los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela. She describes carefully removing moss from a gargoyle before meticulously brushing the ancient stone.
“Our job here is to bring a sensitivity, a care, a certain touch,” she says. “It’s not just chipping away, but breaking with love. Stonemasons are also the sculptors of architecture.”
A Skill in High Demand
Elena’s perspective is proving vital in a profession experiencing a significant labour shortage. The demand for skilled masons is so high that employers are actively recruiting students before they even graduate.
“In fact, at the school, when we are about to finish, companies are the ones who call looking for specialised stonemasons,” Elena notes. The calls come from some of the most iconic projects in Europe, including work on Barcelona’s own architectural jewel, the Sagrada Família. Demand for the basilica remains high, with special events like the recent free ticket offer for a Gaudí centenary concert drawing huge public interest.
The need for these rare skills extends far beyond Catalonia. According to Elena, stonemasons from her school were even sought for the monumental task of restoring the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris following the devastating 2019 fire.
For Elena, contributing to the preservation of such magnificent structures is more than just a job. “It’s a source of pride, satisfaction, and responsibility,” she expresses. “Above all, for the trust they place in me to be able to work on this, because it is beautiful and it is very necessary, both for the conservation of history and personally for anyone to be able to participate in it.”
The Bigger Picture for Women in Construction
Elena is part of a growing, albeit still small, contingent of women entering the construction sector in Spain. Recent data shows that female employment in the industry reached an 11-year high in 2025, with 166,833 women registered, making up 11.5% of the total workforce. However, reports from industry analysts like BIMCommunity indicate that the proportion of women in on-site roles, like Elena’s, remains lower, at approximately 9%.
This slow but steady progress mirrors trends seen in other traditionally male-dominated sectors across the region. In a similar development, recent figures showed that Barcelona area police forces have broken the 20% mark for female officers, demonstrating a wider push for gender diversity in public and private sector roles.
As artisans like Elena continue to prove that skill transcends gender, they are not only preserving historical masterpieces but also building a more inclusive future for their ancient craft.
