Los Gálvez Sculptural Group

The Los Gálvez Sculptural Group is a bronze monument in Malaga honoring the Gálvez family and its part in the American War of Independence. It stands at the Fuente de las Américas, on Avenida Ingeniero José María Garnica, close to María Zambrano train station and the Hermanitas de los Pobres residence — a part of the city most visitors pass through on their way from the station to the center, rarely stopping to look.

What does the monument show?

The group is made up of four bronze figures, each over two meters tall: the brothers José, Miguel and Matías de Gálvez, and Matías's son, Bernardo de Gálvez. Sculptor Jaime Pimentel captured a precise historical moment — José de Gálvez, then Minister of the Indies, handing his nephew Bernardo, viceroy of Mexico, the declaration of independence of the future United States. The scene is set in 1776, the same year the American Declaration of Independence was signed.

Why this particular family?

Bernardo de Gálvez is a figure who, even in Spain, tends to be underappreciated. As governor of Spanish Louisiana, he backed the American revolutionaries in their fight against the British, and his contribution mattered enough that in 2014 the US Congress hung his portrait in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room, noting that he risked his life for American freedom. The Malaga monument, unveiled on 3 February 2017, revisits that episode from the perspective of the city the Gálvez family came from.

How do you get there?

The monument sits right next to María Zambrano station, Malaga's main rail hub, so if you're arriving by train it's essentially on your route. From the historic center it's about a fifteen-minute walk along Avenida de Andalucía toward the station, or a short ride on a city bus. The surroundings aren't a typical tourist stretch, so it's worth pairing a visit with a walk toward Muelle Uno or El Morlaco park if you happen to be in that part of town.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Fuente de las Américas, where the monument stands, is a small, tidy square built around a fountain — more of a local spot than a tourist one, good for a brief stop between the station and the rest of your sightseeing. The monument itself looks best in afternoon light, when the bronze figures take on a warm tone and stand out clearly against the surrounding greenery.

When should you visit?

Malaga's mild climate makes the monument viewable year-round. For comfortable temperatures without the summer crowds, spring (April–May) and early autumn (October) work best. In July and August, midday heat can make walking through this shade-poor part of the city uncomfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Gálvez family monument? Sculptor Jaime Pimentel created the bronze group of four figures, unveiled in 2017.

Where exactly does the monument stand? At the Fuente de las Américas, on Avenida Ingeniero José María Garnica, near María Zambrano station.

Who was Bernardo de Gálvez? The governor of Spanish Louisiana, who supported the American revolutionaries during the War of Independence — his contribution is also honored in the US Capitol.

Is this part of Malaga worth a detour? It's not a first-choice attraction, but if you're arriving by train, it's worth a few minutes' stop near María Zambrano station — the monument is literally on the way.