Monument to Doctor Gálvez Ginachero

The Monument to Doctor Gálvez Ginachero is a modest but locally cherished memorial standing in the cathedral gardens in the historic heart of Malaga. The bust honors José Gálvez Ginachero, a physician whose entire career was tied to the city and its provincial hospital.

How do you get there?

The monument sits in the gardens surrounding Malaga Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación), right in the middle of the old town. It's only a few minutes on foot from the main pedestrian street, Calle Larios, and just as close to the Alcazaba fortress and Plaza de la Constitución. Most visitors pass by it naturally while exploring the cathedral grounds, so there's no need to plan a special detour — just keep an eye out in the garden area around the cathedral.

What will you see?

The bust was created by Spanish sculptor Adrián Risueño, and its pedestal carries an inscription dated May 1944, dedicated to a "distinguished son of Malaga who devoted his life to the service of Spain, science, and Christian charity." Those words sum up why the city chose to honor him with a monument.

José Gálvez Ginachero was born in Malaga in 1866. He studied medicine at the University of Granada, earning his medical degree at just 22, and completed a doctorate with honors at the Complutense University of Madrid only two years later. In 1893 he joined the medical staff of Malaga's Provincial Civil Hospital as an obstetrician, and over the following decades he attended roughly 150,000 births — a figure that gives a real sense of how deeply his work shaped the city's medical history. He was also known for never accepting his hospital salary, handing it over instead to support the poorest patients.

The monument itself is simple in form — a bust on a stone pedestal — but its position beside the cathedral places it squarely within one of the most visited corners of the city. It's worth pausing for a moment to read the inscription before continuing on to the cathedral or the surrounding old-town streets.

When should you visit?

Since the monument stands outdoors in a publicly accessible garden, it can be seen at any time of year or day. The most pleasant times to visit are early morning or late afternoon, when the heat is milder and the light falls more attractively on the cathedral facade and the greenery around it. Spring and autumn bring gentler temperatures to Malaga, ideal for longer walks through the old town that combine this stop with nearby attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Doctor Gálvez Ginachero? José Gálvez Ginachero (1866–1952) was an obstetrician at Malaga's Provincial Civil Hospital, known for attending roughly 150,000 births and for donating his salary to the hospital's poorest patients.

Where exactly is the monument located? In the gardens next to Malaga Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación), right in the heart of the old town, near Calle Larios and the Alcazaba.

Who created the sculpture? The bust was made by Spanish sculptor Adrián Risueño, with an inscription dated May 1944 on its pedestal.

Is it worth stopping to see this monument? It's a small monument, but since most visitors already explore the area around the cathedral, it's worth a brief stop — the inscription offers a glimpse into an important figure in the city's medical history.