Memorial of Juan Pablo II

The Memorial of John Paul II in Oviedo is one of more than a hundred urban sculptures scattered across the streets of the Asturian capital, standing on a square named after the pope, at the corner of Calle Quevedo.

Where does the memorial stand and how do you spot it?

The figure stands on Plaza Juan Pablo II, positioned so it faces the tower of Oviedo Cathedral in the distance. The hyperrealistic bronze figure — cast in marine bronze — is the work of Asturian sculptor Vicente Menéndez-Santarúa Prendes, completed in 2006. It was unveiled on 12 April 2006, a year after John Paul II's death on 2 April 2005, at a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Oviedo and the city's archbishop.

What does the sculpture actually show?

Rather than a formal blessing pose, the artist chose to portray the pope mid-stride, as a pilgrim on the move, holding a shepherd's staff — a reference to the one a local shepherd is said to have given Karol Wojtyła during his walk through the Picos de Europa. That hike, taken during the pope's visit to Asturias, held real personal significance for him. Around the figure, the paving stones are laid out to evoke the rocky terrain of the mountains he crossed.

Why did Oviedo choose to honor him this way?

The pope's visit to Asturias left a lasting impression on the region, remembered as both a religious and a civic occasion. Instead of a static, ceremonial likeness, the sculptor aimed to capture Wojtyła's physical vitality and his ease among ordinary people — hence the walking pose rather than a fixed stance. Placing the monument on a direct sightline to the cathedral tower also ties it symbolically to the city's spiritual center.

How do you fit the memorial into a visit to Oviedo?

Plaza Juan Pablo II sits in the Ciudad Naranco district, a short distance from the historic old town, so it's worth a brief detour rather than a stop directly on the cathedral route. The sculpture stands in open public space, so it can be viewed at any time, free of charge, with no set visiting hours. It pairs naturally with a walk past Oviedo's other street sculptures, which the city has developed for decades as part of its identity as an open-air gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created the Memorial of John Paul II in Oviedo? The sculpture is the work of Vicente Menéndez-Santarúa Prendes, who cast the figure in marine bronze in 2006.

When was the memorial unveiled? It was unveiled on 12 April 2006, close to the anniversary of the pope's death.

What does the staff in his hand represent? It represents a shepherd's staff, referencing a gift John Paul II reportedly received from a local shepherd while walking through the Picos de Europa during his visit to Asturias.

Where exactly is the memorial located? On Plaza Juan Pablo II in Oviedo's Ciudad Naranco district, positioned to face the tower of Oviedo Cathedral.