Monument a la Creu Roja

Monument a la Creu Roja is a modest but meaningful memorial in Sant Celoni, a Catalan town at the foot of the Montnegre-Corredor mountain range. It stands at the junction of Torras i Bages and Creu Roja streets, in the Pertegàs district, honoring the town's local Red Cross branch.

What does the monument show?

The piece is a granite monolith carved by sculptor Jesús Kaso, depicting figures of volunteers and people receiving aid. The figures support one another, and above them rises the emblem of the international Red Cross movement. The composition captures, in simple visual terms, the founding idea behind the organization created by Henry Dunant — solidarity and mutual aid in moments of crisis.

When was it built, and why here?

The monument was unveiled in 2003 to mark the 25th anniversary of the local Red Cross branch in Sant Celoni. The location is no coincidence: the intersection sits on Creu Roja street (literally "Red Cross Street"), a name long associated with the organization's presence in town, making it a fitting spot to commemorate its work.

How do you get there?

The monument sits in a quiet residential part of Sant Celoni, in the Pertegàs district, a short walk from the town center and from the railway station on the R3 line connecting Barcelona and Vic. It also lies along popular walking routes heading toward the Sant Martí de Pertegàs church and the surrounding hills, so most visitors come across it while exploring the area on foot rather than seeking it out as a standalone destination.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Sant Celoni makes a convenient base for visiting the Montseny Natural Park, one of Catalonia's most valued protected landscapes, while the town itself has its own low-key character — a central square, older streets, and several walking trails starting right from downtown. Small as it is, the Red Cross monument fits into that local fabric as one of the quieter memorial points worth noticing while wandering the town's less touristy corners.

How much time should you set aside?

This is not a stop that demands much time — a few minutes are enough to take in the sculpture and its symbolism. It works best as part of a longer walk through the Pertegàs district or a route toward the nearby hills, rather than as the sole purpose of a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Who created the monument? Sculptor Jesús Kaso, who carved the granite monolith in 2003.

What does the monument commemorate? It celebrates the 25th anniversary of the founding of the local Red Cross branch in Sant Celoni and evokes the ideas of Henry Dunant, the organization's founder.

Where exactly is it located? At the junction of Torras i Bages and Creu Roja streets, in the Pertegàs district.

Is it worth a dedicated trip? Not really — it's better appreciated as part of a walk around Sant Celoni or on the way to nearby trails than as a destination in its own right.