Monument to Emilia Pardo Bazán, A Coruña

The Monument to Emilia Pardo Bazán stands in the Méndez Núñez Gardens in the heart of A Coruña, Galicia. It honors one of the most important Spanish writers of the 19th century, who was born in the city and remained deeply connected to it throughout her life.

Who was Emilia Pardo Bazán?

Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851–1921) was a novelist, journalist, essayist, literary critic, poet, playwright, translator, editor and lecturer — one of the most versatile figures in Spanish letters of her time. She is credited with bringing naturalism into Spanish literature, adapting a style borrowed from French writers into a tool for portraying Galician social reality. She was also a pioneer of feminist thought in Spain, openly campaigning for women's right to education on equal terms with men and arguing that women's schooling was essential for broader social change. Her aristocratic background — she held the title of countess — did not stop her from taking a critical view of the power structures and customs of her own social class.

How to get there?

The Méndez Núñez Gardens sit right in the centre of A Coruña, close to the harbour and the city's main streets, so the monument is easy to reach on foot from almost anywhere downtown. It's one of the oldest and most prominent public parks in the city, so finding it needs no special directions — just head to the central part of the gardens, where the statue stands. The area is well served by local public transport, and a walk through the park is often combined with visits to other sights in the city centre.

What will you see?

The monument was unveiled on 15 October 1916, while the writer was still alive, in front of a large gathering of townspeople — a sign of the recognition she already enjoyed in her home city. The original sculpture was carved in stone and stood in the gardens for decades, becoming a familiar landmark for residents and passers-by.

Over time, the stone monument suffered from vandalism — it lost a hand, and its surface bore hundreds of marks from repeated blows. City authorities eventually restored the original piece and had a bronze replica cast from a mould taken of the damaged stone figure. The restored original was returned to its original spot in the Méndez Núñez Gardens, where it can still be seen today — a piece that speaks both to literary history and to its own eventful past.

When to visit?

The Méndez Núñez Gardens are open year-round, and a walk through the park is pleasant in any season — the tree-lined, shaded grounds are a welcome retreat on hot summer days. Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring A Coruña on foot, making it easy to pair a visit to the monument with a longer stroll through the historic city centre.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Emilia Pardo Bazán and why does she have a monument in A Coruña? She was a writer, journalist and feminist thinker born in A Coruña, credited with introducing naturalism to Spanish literature. The monument honours her cultural legacy and her lifelong ties to her home city.

Where exactly is the monument located? In the Méndez Núñez Gardens, in the centre of A Coruña, easily reached on foot from most points in the downtown area.

When was the monument unveiled? On 15 October 1916, in front of a large crowd of local residents.

Is the statue seen today the original one? Yes — it is the restored original stone figure from 1916, which had earlier been damaged by vandalism; a bronze replica was also cast from it.