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Monument a Galceran Marquet

Monument a Galceran Marquet is a sculptural fountain in Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli, Barcelona, in the Ciutat Vella district. Created in 1851, it was designed by architect Francisco Daniel Molina and sculpted by Damià Campeny, with base decoration by Josep Anicet Santigosa. Conceived as an ornamental fountain for the newly urbanized square, it features a circular basin, a central block with water spouts, and a tall iron column decorated with marine reliefs, boat-shaped arms, and aquatic plant motifs. The column is topped by a Corinthian capital and a statue of Galceran Marquet in warrior dress. The work is listed as a local cultural heritage asset and was restored in 1929 and 2007.

Galceran Marquet Monument with a stone column and standing figure, set in a fountain with bronze marine figures in Barcelona.
The Galceran Marquet Monument rises from a fountain basin in Barcelona, with bronze marine figures at its base.
June 2014 © Mummelgrummel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Galceran Marquet statue atop an ornate column, with a robed figure holding a sword against a blue sky.
The Galceran Marquet monument rises on an elaborately carved column topped by the statue of a robed figure with a sword.
November 2013 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Detail of the Galceran Marquet Monument showing a carved column, two lanterns, and decorative ship prows with a crowned shield.
Close-up detail of the Galceran Marquet Monument with its ornate column and lantern supports.
June 2014 © Mummelgrummel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Galceran Marquet Monument detail showing a crowned coat of arms, heraldic reliefs, and two ornate lamps on ship-prow supports.
Detail of the Galceran Marquet Monument featuring the heraldic column and its ornate lamps.
September 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze triton fountain detail from the Galceran Marquet Monument, with a merman blowing a conch shell.
Detail of the Galceran Marquet Monument fountain showing a bronze triton blowing a conch shell.
September 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMonument a Galzeran Marquet
TypeMonumental fountain column

Historical context

Date created1851
Inauguration date29 June 1851

Creator

ArchitectFrancisco Daniel Molina
SculptorDamià Campeny
Base decorationJosep Anicet Santigosa
Sculptor attributionCampeny's authorship is doubted; some attribute the statue to Josep Anicet Santigosa

Discovery and provenance

Initial dedicationThe fountain began without a specific dedication
Urban design projectThe enlargement project of the square was carried out by Francisco Daniel Molina
Site historyThe site had previously contained the small square of San Francisco and a Franciscan convent destroyed by fire in 1835; the convent grounds later held an artillery park, and part of the land was donated by Luis Joaquín Fernández de Córdoba y Benavides, 14th Duke of Medinaceli, to enlarge the square
CommissionThe statue was commissioned to Damià Campeny
Original functionDesigned as an ornamental fountain to decorate the newly urbanized Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli in Barcelona's port area

Iconography and meaning

SubjectGalceran Marquet
Reason for subjectChosen as a prominent figure from Barcelona's maritime history
Alternative proposed subjectsChristopher Columbus and Blasco de Garay
Historical identity of Galceran MarquetHistorically unconfirmed figure; according to Antoni de Bofarull, he was vice-admiral of the Catalan fleet that fought the Genoese in 1331 under Guillem de Cervelló

Physical characteristics

Height18 meters

Materials

Material significanceSupposedly the first ornamental use of iron in Barcelona
Main materialIron
Base figures materialBronze, cast by Valentí Esparó

Appearance

CapitalCorinthian capital decorated with sea horses
Statue attributesLeft hand resting on a sword; right hand holding a rolled parchment
CompositionCircular basin with a central parallelepiped block, four corner spouts, and a central iron column
Statue poseStanding
Statue clothingWarrior attire and the city councillor's cloak
Side elementsTwo ship-shaped arms at one-third of the column's height hold two lamps and two Barcelona shields
Column decorationMarine motifs in relief and aquatic plant leaves
Base detailsThe central block has four angular basins/spouts and supports the column
Water featuresWater pours from horns worn by tritons onto the four corner basins/spouts

Location and ownership

LocationPlaça del Duc de Medinaceli, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Spain
Location contextPlaza beside Paseo de Colón in the port of Barcelona
Intended locationPlaça del Duc de Medinaceli, beside Paseo de Colón, in the port of Barcelona

History and restoration

RestorationRestored in 1929 and 2007
Heritage designationBien Cultural de Interés Local (BCIL)
Heritage registerInventari del Patrimoni Cultural Català, inventory code 08019/529

Significance

Topical significanceMemorial sculpture honoring a maritime figure of Barcelona