Monument to Don Quixote in Madrid
The monument to Don Quixote in Madrid is installed in Plaza de España next to the Royal Palace and is part of the Miguel de Cervantes and His Heroes complex. The Spaniards are distinguished by their zealous attitude towards their great compatriots. Whenever possible, they try to emphasize their Spanish roots, especially if the celebrity has received worldwide recognition.
A little history
The fate of Cervantes was complicated; his real grave was found only in 2015, although he died of dropsy in 1616. His body was reburied in the Cathedral of St. Trinity in the capital of Spain, Madrid. “The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha” is rightfully considered the best novel by M. de Cervantes. There are monuments to the main characters all over the world.
On the 300th anniversary of the official death of the great author, the authorities of Madrid decided to perpetuate the name of their brilliant compatriot by erecting a monument to Don Quixote. The newly built Plaza de España was chosen as the installation location.
In 1915, a competition was held among architects and sculptors for the best project. The winning work was by the architect R. M. Zapatera and the sculptor L. Cullo-Valera. Funds for construction were collected by a committee specially created in 1920. For help in the construction of the monument, the committee turned to all Spanish-speaking countries.
The collection of funds for the construction of the monument to Don Quixote continued until 1925. In the same year, the architect P. Muguruso joined the work on the monument project. The general appearance has undergone changes and has become a little simpler. For example, it was decided to abandon the floating statue of the goddess Victoria.
Details
The monument to Don Quixote took several years to build. The discovery took place in 1929, although some of the elements were not installed. The monument was completed in the 50s of the last century by the son of L. Cullo-Valera - Federico. It was he who installed the statues of Dulcinea, and in the 60s he added “Rinconete and Cortadillo”.
The grandiose structure is a giant multi-tiered stele. At its base sits Cervantes. There is a book in his hand. Near him are bronze Don Quixote on his nag Rocinante and Sancho Panza sitting on a donkey. Every detail of the sculptures is worked out so finely that you can see the folds on clothes and wrinkles on hands and faces.
Environment
Near the monument to Don Quixote there are sculptures of 2 Dulcineas. One is a beautiful young lady, as the romantic Don Quixote saw her, and the other is an ordinary, even somewhat rude peasant woman, as the “lady of the heart” was in reality. The sculptures symbolize Reality and Imagination.
On the reverse side of the stele there is a sculpture of Queen Isabella of Portugal. Her silhouette is reflected in the fountain, decorated with the coats of arms of Spanish-speaking countries.
The top of the stele is crowned with a globe as a symbol of the extensive spread of the Spanish language across all five continents.
The heroes of Cervantes' novel have long become national favorites, and the Spaniards recognized the monument as the best. In gratitude to the great author, the monument bears the inscription: “To Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, king of the Spanish poets.” Many tourists lay flowers at the stele as a tribute to the monument to Don Quixote.
