Location Puerta del Sol, Madrid Height 4 metres (13 ft) Artist Antonio Navarro Santafé Province Community of Madrid Designer Antonio Navarro Santafé | Type Statue Opening date 1967 Opened 1967 Phone +34 914 29 49 51 Material Bronze | |
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Address Plaza Puerta del Sol, s/n, 28013 Madrid, Spain Similar Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcalá, House of the Post Office, Plaza Mayor - Madrid, Market of San Miguel | ||
The statue of the bear and the strawberry tree is a sculpture from the second half of the 20th century, situated in the Spanish city of Madrid. It represents the coat of arms of the city and is found on the east side of the Puerta del Sol, between Calle de Alcalá and St. Jerónimo run, in the historical centre of the capital.
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History
The statue is a work of the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé(1906-1983) and was inaugurated in 1967. It was promoted by the section of Culture of the City council of Madrid, which wanted to represent the main heraldic symbols of the city and of Spain with a monument.
The first appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of the city was in the 13th century. Previously, it only incorporated a bear in passant attitude, until it was replaced in the aforementioned century by the two current figures. With this change, they wanted to symbolise the resolution adopted by the municipality and the Chapter of Priests and Beneficiaries after a long litigation about the control of Madrilenian pastures and trees. Since this agreement, the former became property of the Chapter and the latter of the council. From here they modified the arms, including a strawberry tree and of a bear in a new posture: leaning on the tree with both paws.
The sculpture has always been in the Puerta del Sol, but in two different locations inside the square. Before 1986, it was situated in the east side of it, in the vicinity of the building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera St. Jerónimo. This year, it was moved to the front of Carmen Street for the square's reform and remodeling, promoted by mayor Enrique Tender Galván. In September 2009, with the integral renewal of the square promoted by Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, it has gone back to its original location.
Description
The statue of the bear and of the strawberry tree is made of stone and bronze. It weighs approximately 22 tons (20 tonnes) and stands 13 ft (4 m) tall. It rests on a staggered cubic pedestal of granite.
It represents a real-life form the coat of arms of Madrid, with the tree taller than the bear, who supports his paws on the trunk and directs his attention towards one of the fruit.