Monument to Luis Noval, Madrid

Monument to Luis Noval is a bronze-and-stone monument standing in Madrid, in a small garden named after the soldier it honors, right next to Plaza de Oriente, between San Quintín and Pavía streets. It's easy to walk past on the way to the Royal Palace or the Teatro Real, but it's worth a short stop.

Who was Cabo Noval?

The monument depicts Luis Noval Ferrao, an infantry corporal born in Oviedo on November 15, 1887. He served in the Third Infantry Regiment "of the Prince" and in 1909 was sent to Melilla, where Spain was fighting the Rif War in Morocco. He died there that same year, and his death quickly became a symbol of military heroism in Spain — enough for the capital to dedicate a full-scale monument to him.

What will you see?

The work was created by Mariano Benlliure, one of the most celebrated Spanish sculptors at the turn of the 20th century. The monument is sizeable: about 6.5 meters tall, with a base measuring 3 by 3 meters. At the top stands a bronze figure of the corporal in motion, striding toward the battlefield as if still advancing. Below him, on a sandstone pedestal shaped like a truncated pyramid, a battle scene unfolds: Noval falls under enemy fire while his opponents fall around him too, and others flee the scene. It's a dramatic, dynamic composition typical of military monuments from that era.

The monument sits inside a small, well-kept garden bearing his name — Jardines del Cabo Noval. It's a quiet corner, tucked away from the busiest tourist paths despite being just minutes from Madrid's most visited landmarks.

How to get there?

The garden and monument sit right in the historic center, in the Palacio district, next to Plaza de Oriente. The easiest way in is by metro — Ópera station (lines 2, 5, and Ramal) is only a few minutes' walk away. It also sits naturally along the route connecting the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Teatro Real, so it fits easily into a walking tour of central Madrid.

When to visit?

The monument can be seen year-round since it stands outdoors in a public garden. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, when Madrid's temperatures are mild and the surrounding greenery looks its best. In summer, an early morning visit helps you avoid the midday heat typical of central Spain.

Why stop here?

This is a small but meaningful stop for anyone interested in Spain's military history or in Benlliure's sculptural work, examples of which can be found elsewhere in Madrid as well. The monument also offers an interesting window into how early 20th-century Spain memorialized its colonial conflicts in North Africa.

Frequently asked questions

Who is depicted in the monument? Luis Noval Ferrao, an infantry corporal who died in 1909 during the Rif War in Morocco while defending Spanish positions in Melilla.

Who designed the monument? Sculptor Mariano Benlliure, one of Spain's most important artists of the period.

Where exactly is the monument located? In the Jardines del Cabo Noval, between San Quintín and Pavía streets, right next to Plaza de Oriente in the Palacio district.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the monument stands in an open public garden and can be visited free of charge at any time.