“Encaix” what does it mean? That was the original name for the sculpture we now know as A les víctimes dels bombardeigs de 1938. This striking monument stands as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in Barcelona’s history.
A les víctimes dels bombardeigs de 1938 is located on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. It is positioned near the spot where tragedy struck on March 17, 1938. An Italian aircraft bombed a truck carrying trilita. The explosion caused immense devastation.
Josep Benet first proposed a monument to honor the victims. He asked Maria Aurèlia Capmany in 1988 to create a monument. These bombings were carried out by Italian, German, and pro-Franco aircraft. They flew from Mallorca. Over a thousand people died in Barcelona. Five thousand lost their lives across Catalonia. The Spanish Civil War marked a grim turning point. It was the first war where civilians were deliberately targeted. The goal was to terrorize the rearguard.
Benet wanted a quote from Winston Churchill on the monument. During the Blitz, Churchill said he hoped the British people would resist. He wanted them to be as brave as the people of Barcelona. Years later, the city council took up the proposal. A civic group searched for a suitable location and sculpture.
Finally, in 2003, A les víctimes dels bombardeigs de 1938 was inaugurated. It stands near the site of the devastating 1938 explosion. Margarita Andreu i Solsona designed it. The sculpture features eight leaning stainless steel bars. They reach ten meters high. The artist originally called it “Encaix”. Some find the abstract design doesn’t evoke the intended theme.
The monument bears an inscription in multiple languages. It remembers those killed in the fascist bombings of 1937-1939. It also honors victims of other wars. An urn at the base holds the names of known victims. These names number close to a thousand.
In the days following its unveiling, people laid flowers at A les víctimes dels bombardeigs de 1938. Yet, many people pass by without noticing it. This sculpture serves as a reminder. We must never forget the suffering caused by war. A les víctimes dels bombardeigs de 1938 stands for peace. It stands for remembrance. It stands for the resilience of Barcelona.