Estatua de Cervantes, Bronze statue near University Square in Valladolid, Spain
The Estatua de Cervantes is a bronze statue on University Square in Valladolid depicting the writer in a standing position. The figure wears a sword and displays characteristic details such as the pen held in the right hand and the book in the left.
Sculptor Nicolás Fernández de la Oliva created the statue in 1877 at a foundry complex located along a city canal. The monument was later relocated in 1889 from its original site near Cervantes' residence to its present location between the cathedral and university.
The sculpture represents the writer holding both book and pen, symbols of his dual role as author and intellectual figure. This depiction shows how the city honors one of its most famous natives through the image of literature and creative thought.
The monument stands at a central location between the cathedral and the law faculty, serving as a useful reference point while exploring the square. Visitors can easily reach the statue on foot and view it from multiple angles since it sits on an open, accessible plaza.
The original pedestal once featured four relief sculptures depicting scenes from Don Quixote, crafted by artist Pablo Berasategui. These artworks were later moved to Casa de Cervantes, where they now stand as separate works for visitors to explore.
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