The Bronze Martyrs of the 1809 Insurrection

Within the Plaça de Garriga i Bachs, a bronze group represents the citizens Joan Massana and Salvador Aulet, the chaplains Joan Gallifa and Arqués and Joaquim Pou, and the sub-lieutenant Josep Navarro. These men are the martyrs of 1809 who attempted to liberate Barcelona from the occupation of Napoleonic troops. They organized the Conspiracy of the Ascension to free the city, but their plans failed. Five conspirators were executed as an exemplary punishment, and three more citizens were executed in the following days for ringing the bells to alert the public.

We should look closely at how this memorial came to be. Although the concept for a monument emerged in 1884, construction did not truly commence until the 1920s. Architect Pere Benavent designed the site while sculptor Josep Llimona crafted the bronze figures. It is worth noting that the monument was inaugurated without the sculpture in 1929. The sculpture was finally placed in 1941, when it was inaugurated again during a time of intense patriotism.

Take a moment to observe the specific artistic choices of Llimona. He avoided idealization and intense drama, instead capturing the men in the moments prior to their execution in a realistic way. By preserving their specific clothing and calm faces, he highlights their status as martyrs. A relief by Vicenç Navarro was added in 1941, showing two victorious angels to complete the story of their sacrifice.

Today, the square invites you to linger and explore. You can examine the ceramic tiles at the base which replicate engravings from 1815 regarding the arrival of the Napoleonic troops. Sit on the benches to reflect on these figures and the local identity they represent against an occupying empire.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons