Monument als Herois del 1809, War memorial in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain.
Monument als Herois del 1809 is a memorial in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter showing five life-size bronze figures on a plinth depicting condemned men moments before their execution. The sculpture stands in Plaça Garriga i Bachs and measures roughly 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall.
The memorial commemorates five men executed in 1809 after organizing a revolt against French occupying troops in Barcelona. This resistance occurred during the War of Spanish Succession when the city was under Napoleonic control.
The five bronze figures represent people from different social classes, with clothing that reflects their rank and station. This shows how resistance to occupation crossed all levels of society.
The memorial sits on a public square that is easily walkable and served by nearby metro and bus stations. It is freely accessible during daytime and can be viewed clearly from the plaza.
Ceramic tiles surrounding the memorial depict the arrival of Napoleonic troops in Barcelona based on historical engravings by Bonaventura Planella. These tiles provide a visual narrative of the occupation that prompted the resistance the monument honors.
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