Monument to Vicente Carnota

The Monument to Vicente Carnota stands in the town park of Ordes, a small municipality in the province of A Coruña, in Spain's Galicia region. It's a modest but locally cherished monument, raised in honor of the man residents still regard as the town's finest journalist.

Who was Vicente Carnota?

Vicente Carnota Pérez was born in Ordes in 1855 and died in 1920. During his lifetime he built a reputation as the most gifted writer the town ever produced, known for lively prose and deep involvement in local affairs. Contemporaries described him as a bohemian figure — impulsive and carefree, yet warm and widely liked. That combination of talent and personality is why, after his death, the people of Ordes chose to honor him with a lasting monument in the heart of town.

What will you see at the monument?

The centerpiece is a bronze bust of Carnota mounted on a slender stone column. The shaft carries allegorical decorations referencing his role as a writer and journalist, and the base bears the inscription "Al Gran Periodista Vicente Carnota 1855-1920" ("To the Great Journalist Vicente Carnota"), making clear exactly who the tribute honors and why. The monument itself is modest in scale, but its setting inside the town park makes it a natural stopping point on a walk through Ordes.

How do you get there?

Ordes sits in the heart of Galicia, in the province of A Coruña, within easy reach of both Santiago de Compostela and the city of A Coruña — either makes a convenient base for a visit. The town is well connected by road, and the monument itself is located in the municipal park, an easy walk from the town center. It pairs naturally with a stroll through the rest of Ordes, since the town's center is compact enough to explore in a short visit.

A bit of the monument's own history

The monument was unveiled on Sunday, November 8, 1925 — a significant occasion for the community, marking their pride in a locally born figure who had achieved wider recognition. Thirty years later, in 1955, the town organized a second, smaller tribute to mark the centenary of Carnota's birth. His memory is preserved elsewhere in the townscape too: a street in the southern part of Ordes bears his name.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the monument stands outdoors in a public park, it's most enjoyable to visit in spring or summer, when Galicia's mild climate makes for pleasant walking and the park itself looks its greenest. Autumn and winter bring more frequent rain to this part of Galicia, which can make a longer walk less comfortable, though the monument itself remains accessible year-round.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the monument located? In the municipal park of Ordes, in the province of A Coruña, in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain.

Who is the monument dedicated to? Vicente Carnota Pérez (1855-1920), a journalist born in Ordes and regarded as the finest writer the town produced.

When was the monument unveiled? On Sunday, November 8, 1925, with a further tribute organized in 1955 to mark the centenary of Carnota's birth.

Is it worth combining with other sights in Ordes? Yes — the monument sits close to the town center, so it's easy to pair with a walk through the rest of Ordes, which also makes a convenient stop between Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña.