Monument to Arturo Reyes

The Monument to Arturo Reyes in Malaga is a modest, intimate sculpture tucked among the palms and plane trees of Malaga Park (Parque de Malaga), one of the city's favorite strolling avenues for locals and visitors alike.

Who does the monument honor?

The monument commemorates Arturo Reyes Aguilar (1864-1913), a Malaga-born writer, journalist and poet whose novels and short stories drew heavily on local folklore and Andalusian customs. Reyes set his fiction in the Malaga of his own day, and he is still regarded as one of the city's key literary chroniclers from the turn of the 20th century. The monument stands in a park the writer himself knew well and referenced in his work.

What does the monument look like?

The sculpture combines two elements on a shared pedestal. The first is a bust of the writer, a realistic portrait based on period photographs. The second, larger element is a full-length female figure standing in front of the bust. She represents Trini, a character from Reyes's novel "La Goletera," and holds a rose in her hand as a nod to the story. The work was created by Adrian Risueno Gallardo, a Malaga sculptor also responsible for the nearby Fountain of the Three Gypsy Girls (Fuente de las Tres Gitanillas), another well-known feature of the same park. The monument was unveiled in 1964 and has remained a fixture among the park's collection of sculptures ever since.

How do you get there?

Malaga Park sits right in the heart of the city, between Plaza de la Marina and the harbor front, just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral and the main pedestrian avenue, Calle Larios. No transport is really needed, since the park is a natural route between the old town and the port and Malagueta beach. Visitors coming from further afield can reach it easily on city buses that stop near Plaza de la Marina or Alameda Principal.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Malaga Park functions as an open-air sculpture gallery: alongside the Reyes monument and Risueno's fountain, it holds several other statues, exotic plant species brought in from around the world since the 19th century, and plenty of shaded benches for a break between sightseeing in the center and a walk along the harbor. From here it's also a short walk to Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba fortress, which overlook the city.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is open year-round, at any hour, free of charge. The most pleasant times to walk through are early morning or late afternoon, when the heat of the Andalusian summer eases and the shade of the trees is especially welcome.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Arturo Reyes? A Malaga-born writer, journalist and poet (1864-1913) known for novels and stories depicting the customs and folklore of his native city.

Who created the monument? The sculptor was Adrian Risueno Gallardo, who also made the Fountain of the Three Gypsy Girls in the same park.

Who is the woman depicted next to the bust? She is Trini, a character from Reyes's novel "La Goletera," shown holding a rose.

Is entry to the park free? Yes, Malaga Park is an open, free public space with no admission fee.