Victoria Alada, Bronze statue at Metropolis Building, Madrid, Spain
Victoria Alada is a bronze female figure atop the dome of the Metropolis Building, holding a laurel wreath. She sits on the building's distinctive roof and can be seen from various viewpoints across the city.
Federico Coullaut-Valera created this statue in 1977 to replace the original sculpture of Ganymede and Phoenix that decorated the building since 1911. This change marked a new artistic phase for one of Madrid's most recognized landmarks.
The figure represents Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, reflecting a European tradition of placing classical mythology on important buildings. Visitors can spot this classical reference when looking up at the structure.
The statue stands at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía, reachable from Banco de España or Sevilla metro stations. The best views are from street level when looking up or photographing from across nearby streets.
The bronze figure required specific engineering solutions to secure its position atop the dome due to its substantial weight and exposed location. These technical challenges are often overlooked by visitors but reveal the work as a remarkable feat of construction.
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