The Inverted Staircase of Francesc Macià

The Monument to Francesc Macià is a sculpture by Josep Maria Subirachs located at the southern end of the Plaça de Catalunya, facing the Rambla. It was inaugurated on 25, 1991, to honor Francesc Macià (1859-1933), a Catalan politician and soldier who proclaimed the Catalan Republic in 1931 and served as the president of the Generalitat until his death.

The initiative to build the monument began in 1977 following the restoration of the Generalitat. A public collection was organized to fund the project. Although an earlier design for a crypt with laser beams was selected in 1983, it was ultimately replaced by Subirachs' work. The sculptor, known for his geometric forms and exploration of Catalan identity, created a pedestal of travertine and stone blocks that represents the history of Catalonia.

The top of the monument is made of concrete and shaped like an inverted staircase. The first three steps represent Macià's three years in government, while the remaining steps end abruptly to symbolize the country's future being built day by day. The sculpture features graffiti-style inscriptions with names, dates, and places related to Macià, along with the inscription "Catalunya a Francesc Macià" and the coat of arms of Catalonia.

In front of the main sculpture stands a separate bronze monolith featuring a bust of Macià. This is a replica of a 1932 portrait by Josep Clarà. Subirachs designed the bust to have a realistic style, providing a contrast to the almost abstract nature of the rest of the monument to create a link with the Noucentista style of the rest of the square.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons