Ramón Berenguer IV Statue

Gaze upon the Ramó Berenguer IV statue. This isn’t just a stone figure. It’s a silent witness to centuries of history. This particular statue is one of many. They were originally intended to adorn the Royal Palace. A Benedictine friar Martin Sarmiento conceived the project in 1743. The plan was for 114 statues. They were to grace the palace’s upper balustrade. Sculptors Juan Domingo Olivieri and Felipe de Castro worked on the project. The statues were created between 1743 and 1748. This was during the reigns of Felipe V and Fernando VI. However the statues never fully took their intended place. Architect Francisco Sabatini later had them removed during the reign of Carlos III. New aesthetic tastes prevailed. The Ramó Berenguer IV statue found a new home in Madrid’s Retiro Park. It arrived there in 1847. It now stands proudly along the Paseo de la República Argentina. This is also known as the Paseo de las Estatuas. You see it here as part of a reorganization in 1989. The statues are placed symmetrically. Because there’s an odd number a pedestal without a statue sits at the end. The Ramó Berenguer IV statue is a depiction of the Count of Barcelona. He reigned from 1114 to 1162. He married Petronila the heiress of Ramiro II el Monje. Their marriage united Aragon and Catalonia. This formed the Crown of Aragon in 1137. The statue itself underwent restoration in 1997. Missing pieces were replaced. Other damage was repaired. This magnificent piece of history stands as a testament to the artistry of a bygone era. Notice the detail. The inscription reads RAMÓN BERENGUER 4º Conde de Barcelona Mº Aº de 1162. It is a silent narrative of a powerful man. It silently tells a story of power and politics and legacy. It stands as a reminder of Spain’s rich and complex past.