Monument to Ramón de Campoamor

Monument to Ramón de Campoamor is an imposing monument in Madrid's Retiro Park, dedicated to one of the most celebrated Spanish poets of the 19th century.

Who was Ramón de Campoamor?

Ramón de Campoamor y Campoosorio was born in 1817 in Navia, Asturias, and died in Madrid in 1901. He worked as both a poet and a politician, and is best remembered for his short, reflective verses known as "doloras" and "humoradas," which made him hugely popular among Spanish readers of his time. The idea of honouring him with a monument actually began during his lifetime: journalist Mariano de Cavia campaigned for it in the newspaper "El Imparcial" in 1901 and again in 1907. The monument was eventually built after the poet's death and unveiled on 18 February 1914, in Retiro Park, a place Campoamor himself was fond of visiting.

What will you see at the monument?

The work was created by Spanish sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut-Valera. It is made of marble and bronze and measures roughly 4 metres in height and 2.36 metres in width. At the centre of the composition sits Campoamor, surrounded by three allegorical female figures representing the three stages of human life: youth, maturity, and old age. This arrangement echoes the reflective, philosophical tone of Campoamor's poetry, which often dwelt on the passage of time and the stages of existence.

On either side of the main group, set on small marble columns, are additional bronze reliefs. One depicts "El gaitero de Gijón" (The Piper of Gijón), while the other illustrates a scene from one of Campoamor's best-known poems, "¡Quién supiera escribir!" (If Only I Knew How to Write!), showing the village priest and the woman who are the poem's protagonists. These side panels turn the monument into something like a visual anthology of the poet's work, rather than a simple commemorative statue.

How to get to the monument?

The Monument to Ramón de Campoamor stands along Avenida de Fernán Núñez, also known as Paseo de Coches, one of the main wide avenues running through Retiro Park. It is one of many memorial sites scattered throughout the park, surrounded by other statues and walking paths. The nearest metro stations are Retiro (line 2) and Ibiza (line 9), both a short walk from the park entrances. The park itself is open to everyone and free of charge, and strolling along Paseo de Coches is one of the most popular ways to explore it.

When should you visit?

Retiro Park is open every day, and the monument can be viewed year-round during the park's opening hours. Early morning or late afternoon tends to offer the best conditions for photography and quiet sightseeing, since the park is less crowded and the light brings out the sculpture's details nicely. Spring and autumn are particularly attractive seasons, as the greenery surrounding the monument looks its best, though visitors also come here on hot summer days to enjoy the shade of the trees lining the avenue.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Campoamor monument? The monument was created by Spanish sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut-Valera, working in marble and bronze.

When was the monument unveiled? It was unveiled on 18 February 1914, several years after the poet's death.

Where exactly in Retiro Park is the monument located? It stands along Avenida de Fernán Núñez, also known as Paseo de Coches, one of the park's main avenues.

What do the side reliefs depict? They show a scene called "El gaitero de Gijón" and a scene from the poem "¡Quién supiera escribir!" — two references to Campoamor's literary work.