The 1911 bronze monument to the people of Pontevedra

The bronze figures of the Monumento aos Heroes de Ponte Sampayo represent the resistance of the people against an invader. They capture the final moments of a battle in 1809 where the people of Pontevedra, led by the officer Pablo Morillo, broke the occupation of Marshal Michel Ney's French troops.

This sculptural group by Julio González Pola tells a story of civilian resistance. It depicts a diverse group of farmers, students, and soldiers. At the center, a female figure representing Galicia invites others to combat, while Morillo stands above them encouraging the fight. The granite pedestal beneath them is designed to resemble one of the pillars of the Puente Sampayo bridge, a structure that was destroyed after the battle.

The monument was a significant civic project at the start of the 20th century. The city council provided the stone, while the government of King Alfonso XIII donated the bronze. It was inaugurated in 1911. For many years, a monumental fountain from 1983 obscured the view, but it was removed in 2009 to restore the sculpture's original layout.

Visitors can view the monument today in the gardens of the Plaza de España. It remains a clear record of the courage of the people of Pontevedra in liberating the city from the occupation of the French army.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons