Estatua del Marqués del Duero Statue

Cast in bronze, a hero stands. The Estatua del Marqu\u00e9s del Duero dominates this square. It’s more than just a statue. It’s a portal to 19th-century Spain. The Estatua del Marqu\u00e9s del Duero immortalizes Manuel Guti\u00e9rrez de la Concha e Irigoyen. He was a prominent general in the Carlist Wars. The statue itself is a masterpiece. Created by Andr\u00e9s Aleu, it stands over 14 feet tall. It weighs over eight tons. Imagine the feat of casting this massive bronze figure. It was cast in Seville. The Spanish State even loaned cannons for the bronze. This was the first equestrian statue cast in Spain since the 17th century. The cost? A hefty 140,000 pesetas, raised partly by public subscription. People truly believed in honoring this man. The Estatua del Marqu\u00e9s del Duero doesn’t just depict a man on a horse. It tells stories. Look closely at the pedestal. You’ll see two bronze reliefs by Pablo Gibert. One portrays Guti\u00e9rrez de la Concha entering Porto, Portugal. This depicts his role in mediating during the Portuguese Civil War in 1847. This act of peacemaking earned him the title “Marquis of Duero.” The other relief shows a somber scene. It depicts the general’s death during the Third Carlist War. His assistants lift his mortally wounded body onto a horse. A poignant inscription reads, “Al capit\u00e1n general, Marqu\u00e9s del Duero,” which translates to “To the Captain General, Marquis del Duero.” The Estatua del Marqu\u00e9s del Duero was unveiled on June 27, 1885. The very day the general fell in battle, eleven years prior. So, as you stand here, before the Estatua del Marqu\u00e9s del Duero, remember. It’s not just bronze and stone. It’s a tribute to a complex figure, a testament to a turbulent era, and a powerful piece of Madrid’s history.