Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca is a bronze bust mounted on a granite pedestal in McGovern Centennial Gardens, depicting the head and shoulders of a bearded historical figure in period clothing. The sculpture sits among walking paths and planted gardens within Hermann Park, where it stands as part of the site's collection of historical monuments.

The sculpture was created in 1986 by artist Pilar Cortella de Rubin as a tribute to a Spanish explorer from the 16th century. The figure depicted survived a shipwreck on Galveston Island and subsequently traveled through what is now Texas.

The sculpture honors an explorer who documented the lives and societies of Native American communities during his 16th-century travels across North America. His detailed accounts provide insight into how these peoples lived before European settlement became widespread.

The sculpture is located within Hermann Park and can be reached by following the paved paths through McGovern Centennial Gardens. The area is accessible on foot from multiple park entrances and offers open space for walking around the monument.

The explorer depicted in this sculpture lived among Native American communities for years after his shipwreck, making him a rare bridge between two worlds. His survival and extended time with indigenous peoples produced some of the earliest detailed firsthand accounts of their societies.

Inception: 1986

Creator: Pilar Cortella de Rubin

GPS coordinates: 29.72217,-95.38817

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21