Monument to Gonzalo Ordóñez Pérez

The Monument to Gonzalo Ordóñez Pérez stands in O Porriño, a small town in Galicia's Pontevedra province, a short drive south of Vigo. It honors a local politician who led the town hall for close to two decades across two separate terms.

Who was Gonzalo Ordóñez Pérez?

Gonzalo Ordóñez Pérez was born in O Porriño in 1920 and died there on 28 January 1981. Before entering politics he worked as secretary of the local Farmers and Ranchers Brotherhood (Hermandad de Labradores y Ganaderos). He became mayor of O Porriño in August 1963 and held the post until 1976, also serving from 1964 as local head of the Movimiento Nacional. After the return of democratic local government, he led the Coalición Democrática ticket and won an absolute majority in the town's first free municipal elections, returning to the mayor's office for a second term. He also served as a provincial deputy. He died in office in January 1981.

What will you see at the monument?

The monument sits within the park the town named after him, the Parque Alcalde Gonzalo Ordóñez, also known as the Sculpture Park (Parque Escultórico). The park opened in 1991 specifically to keep his memory alive. Ten sculptures line its stone walls, and two further sculptures originally belonged to the park's fountain; both sets of pieces are being carefully preserved and worked into the site's ongoing restoration. In recent years the park has undergone a major overhaul: Galicia's regional government (the Xunta) and the town council signed an agreement covering an investment of more than 485,000 euros aimed at improving accessibility, green space, and safety in this part of O Porriño.

How do you get to the monument?

O Porriño sits directly on one of the Camino de Santiago routes, the Camino Portugués, making the town a popular stop for pilgrims heading toward Santiago de Compostela. Its town centre is compact and easy to cover on foot, and O Porriño has solid road and rail links to nearby Vigo, which makes it an easy day trip. It's worth asking at the local tourist information office for the monument's exact spot inside the park, especially while renovation work is under way.

When should you visit?

Because the park is currently being renovated, some paths and features may be temporarily closed off, so it's worth checking the latest status before setting out. Spring and early autumn are the best times for a walk through the park and surrounding streets, when Galicia's mild temperatures and the park's greenery show at their best.

Frequently asked questions

Who does the monument in O Porriño commemorate? It commemorates Gonzalo Ordóñez Pérez, mayor of O Porriño from 1963 to 1976 and again from 1979 until his death in 1981.

Where exactly is the monument located? It stands inside the park that bears his name, the Parque Alcalde Gonzalo Ordóñez, also known as the Sculpture Park, in central O Porriño.

Is the park around the monument open to visitors? Yes, it's a public park open to everyone, though ongoing renovation work may temporarily limit access to certain areas.

Is there an entrance fee for the park or the monument? No, as a public municipal space, the park and its monument are free to visit year-round.