Among the architects who worked in Toledo, in the first third of the 20th century, is Álvaro González Saz (1883-1936), technician who served in three public administrations and author of various private orders. The son of a prison official, he was born in Madrid where he studied at the Central University and at the Special School of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving, graduating in 1910 from the Higher School of Architecture. In June 1911, he took up a position in the Urban Heritage Cadastre Service of the Treasury Delegation of Toledo. In January of the same year, his father, Emilio Gonzalez, He ended up as director of the Toledo prison after various missions throughout Spain, dying the same year, already a widower. Álvaro was the eldest of his eight children, three of whom were daughters. In 1917, he became head of the land registry service and was promoted, in 1932, to third-class head of administration.
He quickly integrated into the local life of the Scouts (1913), the Society of Arts (1918), the Committee of the Red Cross (1920), in addition to participating in the special events of the 7th Centenary of the Cathedral (1925). He entered as an elected member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Historical Sciences of Toledo in 1918 with the speech Orientation of local architecture. He defends the artistic heritage as an immediate source against foreign influences and asks that the teachings of the Schools of the Arts be adapted to the real spirit of architectural projects. In 1928 he moved from permanent member to corresponding academic.
War and post-war
In 1933, Álvaro married in Madrid Leonor Klein Capellapossibly the daughter of an infantry colonel, Francisco Klein Labarra, and Leonor Capella Oternio. Beyond his home in Pozo Amargo, 8, we find no news of his personal life until his death in Toledo.in October 1936shortly after the entry of Franco’s troops into the city. A brief note closes his personal file kept at the Provincial Deputation of Toledo: “he died in conformity [de] judgment”. The civil registry indicates that it was October 16 “because of the war”, leaving behind a minor son named Álvaro. A report from the police station filed in the Provincial Historical Archives of Toledo, dated 1944, indicates that “he was shot by the National Forces” while “they considered him disaffected from the regime”, although he was apolitical and had not intervened “in anything during the rule.” red”. The police report adds: “we only know that he was anti-religious”. The cemetery book indicates 53 years.
Further information about Álvaro and his family will appear later in announcements inserted in the press and in official bulletins. In 1939, the loss of one of his life insurance policies, taken out in 1914 for a value of 10,000 pesetas, was announced. In 1942, among the retirement concessions of the General Directorate of Debt and Passive Classes, Leonor Klein Capella appears as “widow of the architect of the Urban Land Registry since October 17, 1936”. During the war, and in accordance with a 1937 decree-law on seizures of property of people not affected by the uprising, the civil governor of Toledo decreed those referring to two sisters of Álvaro (Aurora and Natividad), rejecting their files in 1943. . In 1954, in an announcement from the Bank of Spain, González Saz appears as the holder of an account of 131.08 pts. among the deposits “concerned by the presumption of abandonment”. Finally, in the Toledo cemetery, the family tomb brings together the remains of Álvaro (1936), his father (1911) and two brothers: Ricardo (1908) and Manuel (1917).
The land register
It seems that until his death he developed his destiny in Toledo. In 1918, he carried out a study of the Roman underground passages of the Treasury Delegation itself. In 1921, he intervened to extinguish the fire which affected the same building and was responsible for undertaking its rehabilitation. In 1926, he went to Polán to report on the damage caused by the overflowing of a stream after a strong storm. In addition to carrying out the cadastral tasks prescribed to him throughout the province, he was called upon in the work of certain town halls, such as in Los Navalmorales, where he designed, in 1931, with his colleague from the Cadastre, Luis Ferrero Llusiá, two graduates from schools such as the Ministry of Public Education and Fine Arts. The two architects participated unsuccessfully, in 1925, in the competition launched by the Provincial Council for the construction of the provincial hospital. In April 1936, the corporation of San Pablo de los Montes requested Gonzalez Saz prepare the project for a school group and housing for teachers.
Note that in 1914, he had asked the Provincial Council for “a permanent and unpaid position” as “second architect” to cover the “absences and illnesses” of the owner. This request was granted in 1918, although there is no evidence that he acted urgently on any occasion or that he directed projects for the provincial corporation.
Municipal architect
He had greater visibility within Toledo City Hall. In 1923, during a short leave, he replaced longtime architect Juan García-Ramírez, who in 1929 would retire due to retirement. González Saz temporarily occupied the post and the fire department with their respective salaries. After the general competition to fill the position of architect, he competed with nine registered candidates and obtained tenure in January 1930, although he renounced the salaries fixed in November. In August 1931, he decided to resign from all municipal functions, citing health reasons and being the target of criticism. Perhaps these were referring to the fact that he was also architect of the Treasury, which meant an incompatibility included in a royal decree of 1925. Thus, Álvaro would devote himself exclusively to his position at the Cadastre and to the management of private orders.
Beyond the usual tasks of municipal doctor, the most notable was his intervention at the Provincial Court, transformed into a judicial palace, in 1887, in the former Dean’s House. The lack of space and the passage of time had detrimental consequences on the building, the demolition of which was led by Alfonso Jimeno Pérez, a short-lived auxiliary municipal architect (1923-1924). In 1929, the municipal council agreed to expand the site by purchasing some adjoining properties. This means that González Saz redid the project, ensuring that it did not conflict with the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the City Hall. In 1931, when he ceased his duties as municipal technician, the hectic work was carried out by two architects. Jimeno intervenes again, who lightens the project of González, then Flaviano Rey de Viñas (1932-1936). Both have retained echoes of the Renaissance on the facade in accordance with the fashion for the “Spanish style” that illustrious architects had defended since the beginning of the 20th century.
