Alonso Gómez belongs to a whole saga of stonemasons. His father and grandfather, from whom he learned the trade, worked in many restorations and reconstructions in the historic centre of Cáceres. Alonso still uses the same mason’s mark employed by his forebears: a Latin cross… with an anchor at the bottom.

Although Alonso’s speciality is shaping and carving stone, he takes on a great variety of jobs: arches, vaulting, masonry walls, fireplaces, etc.

Alonso is also highly versed in technical drawing, a vital tool in producing templates and full-scale plans.

The tools he uses for granite masonry include mainly pickaxes, bull points and mattocks, and for carving he uses flat, point and wedge chisels.

Alonso works with many kinds of stone, most notably granite from the province of Cáceres. Up to 15 years ago he had his own small quarry in which he would hew stone with a sledgehammer and wedges, but he now buys stone from other quarries so as to keep down costs.

Innovations in stonework that Alonso has incorporated into his work include time-saving devices for cutting squared blocks, although changing the discs and servicing the machines is costly.