Monument to the Doctor Maximino Rodríguez Fornos

The Monument to the Doctor Maximino Rodríguez Fornos stands in Mondariz, a small spa town in Galicia famous for its mineral waters and long balneology tradition. It's a local landmark of memory, honoring a physician whose work shaped the town for decades.

Who was Maximino Rodríguez Fornos?

Maximino Rodríguez Fornos, known locally simply as "Médico Rodríguez," was born in Mondariz in 1854. He worked as a physician at the town's Balneario de Mondariz spa and, in 1892, took part in discovering the Fonte do Val mineral spring — one of the sources that helped establish Mondariz's reputation as a health resort. Beyond his medical practice, he served as mayor of Mondariz from 1909 until 1923. He died in 1923 from an infection contracted while intervening in a complicated childbirth as a doctor — a tragic episode that became part of local memory and, as is often noted, is believed to be echoed in the monument's own symbolism.

What does the monument look like?

The monument was funded through a public subscription: local residents raised the money themselves to thank the doctor for his years of service. The commission went to Francisco Asorey, one of the most important Galician sculptors of the 20th century, and the piece was unveiled on 15 August 1925. It combines granite and bronze, with a bust of the doctor at its center surrounded by additional figures open to two readings — as characters drawn from Greek mythology, or as a symbolic reference to the dramatic events surrounding his death. That ambiguity gives the monument a narrative quality beyond a simple commemorative portrait; it reads almost like a story carved in stone.

How do you get there?

The monument sits in the center of Mondariz, close to the spa complex that still draws visitors seeking its mineral waters. The town lies in the province of Pontevedra, in the Galicia region, and is well connected by road to both Vigo and Ourense, each roughly half an hour to an hour away by car. For anyone exploring Galicia on foot or by bike, the monument makes a natural stop on the route between the spa grounds and the rest of the town.

When should you visit?

Spring and summer are the best times to visit Mondariz, when the spa facilities are in full operation and a stop at the monument can be paired with thermal baths or spa treatments. The monument itself is accessible year-round, free of charge, with no set opening hours, so it's an easy addition to any itinerary regardless of season — though some nearby tourist services may be reduced outside the summer months.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Mondariz monument? Francisco Asorey, a renowned Galician sculptor, created the piece in granite and bronze.

When was the monument unveiled? It was inaugurated on 15 August 1925.

Why does Doctor Rodríguez Fornos have a monument? He was the spa's longtime physician, co-discoverer of the Fonte do Val spring, and mayor of Mondariz; he died from an infection contracted while attending a difficult birth, and the local community wanted to honor his service.

Is there an admission fee? No — the monument stands in a public space and can be visited free of charge at any time.