The Monument to Bartomeu Robert at Plaça de Tetuan

The Monument al Doctor Robert is a sculptural ensemble located in Plaça de Tetuan in Barcelona, categorized as a cultural asset of local interest. It is dedicated to Bartomeu Robert i Yarzábal (1842-1902), a Catalan doctor and politician. He served as the mayor of Barcelona during a brief period in 1899 and became popular for his opposition to commercial and industrial taxes, which led to a series of protests known as the Tancament de Caixes.

Following his death in 1902, the idea emerged to create a monument in his honor, commissioned to sculptor Josep Llimona. While the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner initially intervened in the design, he abandoned the project a year later. The first stone was laid in 1904 at the Plaça de la Universitat, and the monument was inaugurated in November 1910. The structure is slightly pyramidal, featuring a base of stone blocks with organic shapes similar to those used by Antoni Gaudí.

The frontal sculptural group is made of bronze and features figures from all social strata, including farmers, laborers, politicians, intellectuals, and clergy. The monument also includes allegories of Music and medical references. Above these figures is the bust of Doctor Robert, made of stone, alongside an allegory that makes a gesture toward him. The rear of the monument features a group in stoneware representing a medical visit.

In 1940, the monument was dismantled and stored in a municipal warehouse. After democracy arrived in 1977, plans were made to restore it. However, technical reports advised against the original location due to the underground metro station d'Universitat. It was instead installed in Plaça de Tetuan in 1985. The restored monument was inaugurated by King Juan Carles I, Queen Sofia, and the mayor of Barcelona, Pasqual Maragall.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons