Columnes de Bellaterra, Granite monument at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
The Columnes de Bellaterra are four reddish granite columns that spiral upward along the southern side of the university grounds. Each column rises to a different height and is carved from stone arranged in a twisting pattern.
A Valencian sculptor created these monumental columns in 1999 to mark the entrance of the university. The work became a defining visual landmark for the campus.
The columns stand at the southern campus entrance and connect the university with a network of higher education institutions across Spain. Visitors see the names of partner institutions carved into plaques, showing how the schools work together.
The best way to see them is from the south side of the campus, where they stand directly in view. You can walk around them and examine the granite patterns from different angles.
Hidden beneath the ground is a complex metal foundation system that supports and stabilizes each column. This concealed engineering system is invisible to visitors but crucial for keeping the massive granite stones stable.
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