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Dona Lluna

Dona Lluna is a monumental sculpture by Spanish artist Saülo Mercader, located in a roundabout in San Vicente del Raspeig, near the University of Alicante in southeastern Spain. It was inaugurated on Sunday, 11 March 2007, in the presence of local authorities, the mayor, councillors, the press, and a symphony orchestra from Madrid. Cast in bronze and costing the city 120,000 euros, the work stands 5.5 metres high plus a 1.5-metre base and weighs two tons. It depicts a powerful female body with a crescent moon for a head and face, and is presented as a tribute to women, renewal, resistance, and universal symbolism.

Dona Lluna bronze sculpture of a stylized female figure with a crescent moon above her head on a yellow patterned pedestal.
The Dona Lluna sculpture shows a stylized female figure crowned by a crescent moon.
March 2018 © · CC0
Dona Lluna bronze sculpture with a female torso, long wavy hair-like forms, and a crescent moon on top.
Dona Lluna, a bronze sculpture with a crescent moon motif, stands on a decorated pedestal outdoors.
March 2018 © · CC0
Dona Lluna sculpture on a bright yellow base in a grassy roundabout, with a crescent-shaped element at the top.
Dona Lluna stands on a yellow base in the middle of a grassy roundabout, topped by a crescent-shaped detail.
March 2018 © · CC0
Dona Lluna sculpture with a crescent moon on its head standing on a pedestal in a grassy roundabout
The Dona Lluna sculpture rises from the center of a grassy roundabout, with nearby decorative stone elements and buildings in the background.
March 2018 © · CC0
Dona Lluna sculpture with a crescent moon shape in a grassy roundabout.
Dona Lluna stands in the center of a grassy roundabout.
November 2025 © · CC0

Identification

TitleDona Lluna
Meaning of titleValencian for "Moon Woman" / "Moon Lady"
TypeMonumental sculpture; described as a totem and as a secular monument dedicated to women
Alternate titleDoña Luna

Creator

ArtistSaülo Mercader
Artist's occupationPainter and sculptor
Artist's nationalitySpanish

Historical context

InspirationSaülo Mercader's birth in 1944 and his childhood at the Los Molinos estate in San Vicente del Raspeig, where he lived for his first five years
Artist's birth year1944
Artist's birthplaceFinca Los Molinos, San Vicente del Raspeig

Discovery and provenance

Inauguration attendeesAuthorities including the mayor and cultural councillor, city councilors, the press and media, and a symphony orchestra from Madrid
Cost120,000 euros
Inauguration date11 March 2007
Commissioning bodyThe municipal government of San Vicente del Raspeig / the Ayuntamiento

Physical characteristics

Height5.5 meters for the sculpture; about 7 meters including the pedestal
Base height1.5 meters
Weight2 tons

Materials

MaterialBronze

Appearance

Depicted figureA massive, powerful female body with very wide hips and full breasts
Head and faceA half-moon replaces the head and face
Stylistic featuresMassive, potent forms with generous proportions

Iconography and meaning

Inscription translation"Here I was born, here I give"
Meaning of inscriptionRecalls the artist's origin and trajectory
DedicationWomen
Inscription"Aquí nací, aquí doy"
Symbolic interpretationA tribute to Woman and her powers of renewal and resistance, as guardian of cultures and the continuity of humankind
Additional symbolic interpretationA mother-goddess figure with a universal and cosmic dimension

Location and ownership

SettingOutdoor sculpture in a roundabout
Associated websitehttp://loeildegaia.free.fr/dona-lluna.html
Nearby treeA century-old carob tree
Associated websitehttps://web.archive.org/web/20070929085545/http://www.saulomercader.net/
CountrySpain
ProvinceAlicante
CitySan Vicente del Raspeig
LocationCenter of a roundabout in San Vicente del Raspeig, near Alicante, in southeastern Spain, on the University of Alicante campus area

History and restoration

Surrounding elementsTwelve painted stones, each 2 meters high, placed around the entire circumference of the roundabout
Meaning of surrounding elementsThey form a circle around Dona Lluna and the carob tree, representing a lunar calendar
Cosmological symbolismThe work is likened to a womb or matrix gathering the celestial, terrestrial, and subterranean universes
Overall interpretationThe work is described as a cosmic center of positive energies that gives the roundabout greater amplitude and brings well-being, balance, and harmony to nearby residents
Artist's view of the workSaülo Mercader described Dona Lluna as having high symbolism and a universal dimension

Significance

Claimed uniquenessDescribed in the text as the only secular monument dedicated to women known today
Commemorative musicFor the inauguration, composer Manuel Lillo Torregrosa wrote an overture also named Dona Lluna