The Monument to Álvaro de Bazán is a bronze statue created by the Spanish artist Mariano Benlliure. The statue is located in Madrid's Plaza de la Villa and was designed to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Álvaro de Bazán, a noted 16th century Admiral of the Spanish Navy once described by Cervantes as "father of soldiers, lightning of war, fortunate and never defeated captain". The project was funded via popular subscription and was cast at Crescenzi's foundry in Rome.
The pedestal, made of grey marble from Sierra Elvira (province of Granada), was designed by architect Miguel Aguado. The bronze statue depicts Álvaro de Bazán wearing armor, grabbing the handle of his sword with his left hand and wielding a staff of command with his right hand, placed atop the pedestal. A laureate helmet and a shattered Turkish banner are part of the sculptural ensemble.
The monument was officially unveiled on 19 December 1891, during a ceremony presided by Queen Regent Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine. The inauguration was attended by the Infanta Isabella, Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, and several generals and members of the councils of the Ayuntamiento and the Provincial Deputation.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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