A Gen Z stonemason is making his mark – literally – on some of Europe’s most treasured landmarks, restoring structures that have stood for centuries.
Charlie Gee, 22, has dedicated his career to preserving historical architecture, following in the footsteps of his father.
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Specializing in cathedral masonry, he has worked on iconic sites such as Cologne Cathedral in Germany and the Palace of Justice in Brussels, Belgium.
His most notable achievement to date is overseeing the completion of the final eight pinnacles atop one of Cologne Cathedral’s spires, a restoration project that had remained unfinished since the Second World War.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work on a building that is hopefully going to be there for centuries,” Charlie told the York Press.
“Cologne Cathedral specifically has been on my bucket list, and it’s been a great one to tick off.”
Charlie’s passion for stonemasonry began at a young age, inspired by his father, Matthew Gee, 47, who also works in the trade.
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The family moved from Bath, England, to Tuscany when Charlie was five, allowing him to witness firsthand the craftsmanship that goes into restoring historic structures.
“Seeing my dad work definitely influenced me to get involved in stonemasonry,” he said.
“Living in Italy and seeing my dad work on churches out there inspired me to get involved in the same trade.”
Charlie honed his skills at Weymouth College, beginning a three-year stonemasonry course at just 15. He later secured a competitive four-year apprenticeship at York Minster, widely regarded as the premier cathedral masonry training program in England.
Unlike commercial stonemasonry, which often relies on power tools for efficiency, cathedral stonemasonry embraces traditional methods, such as a chisel and mallet.
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Since completing his apprenticeship in 2023, Charlie has been self-employed, using his skills to contribute to historic restoration projects worldwide.
So far, his craftsmanship can be found on the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, York Minster, and other significant sites.
A unique tradition among stonemasons is leaving a personal mark on their work. Charlie’s signature – his initials, CG – can now be seen on some of the most famous buildings in Europe.
“It’s so special to think your mark is on such an important landmark,” he said. “I hope to bring my future kids one day and be able to point up and tell them that’s my work up there – just like I had with my dad growing up.”
Watch Charlie at work:
