Monumento a los hacendistas asturianos, Oviedo

The Monument to the Asturian Hacendistas (Monumento a los hacendistas asturianos) is a stone sculpture in Oviedo honoring the region's most influential economists and treasury officials. It stands in the Llamaquique gardens, on calle Alférez Provisional, in a quiet part of the city away from the busy historic center.

What is this monument about?

Created in 1980 by Oviedo-born sculptor José Antonio Nava Iglesias, the piece is made up of a group of carved stone blocks arranged as a collective tribute to seven figures regarded as the most important Asturian hacendistas — economists and treasury administrators — in Spanish history: Alonso de Quintanilla, José del Campillo, Pedro Rodríguez de Campomanes, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, Álvaro Flórez Estrada, José Canga Argüelles, and Alejandro Mon. Together they represent centuries of fiscal and economic reform in Spain, spanning from the 15th to the 19th century.

The monument was formally unveiled in 1980 in Llamaquique, with King Juan Carlos I presiding over the ceremony. That royal presence signals how much weight was placed on honoring this group — not as a minor local curiosity, but as part of Spain's shared economic memory.

Who made the sculpture?

The artist behind it is José Antonio Nava Iglesias, born in Oviedo in 1951. He trained at the School of Applied Arts in Oviedo (1968–1972), continued at the Fine Arts School in Bilbao (1972–1973), and completed his formal education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid (1975–1979). This monument is one of his public works and fits naturally into Oviedo's strong tradition of urban sculpture — a city known for scattering more than a hundred sculptures across its streets and squares.

How do you get there?

The monument sits in the Llamaquique gardens on calle Alférez Provisional, in an easily reachable area of Oviedo. It connects well with the city center — a walk of roughly fifteen minutes from the historic old town gets you there, passing several other pieces from Oviedo's outdoor sculpture collection along the way. The garden setting makes for relaxed viewing, without the crowds found at the city's headline attractions.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Oviedo is known for weaving public art directly into everyday city life — walking its streets, visitors keep stumbling on sculptures by different artists, effectively turning the whole city into an open-air gallery. It's worth pairing a visit to the Monument to the Asturian Hacendistas with a longer stroll through Llamaquique and its green spaces, then heading toward the historic center to see San Salvador Cathedral and the old town.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the monument is outdoors, it can be visited year-round, at any time of day. Spring and early autumn offer the best conditions for sightseeing and photography, when Asturian weather is mild and the Llamaquique gardens are green and quieter than during peak summer.

Frequently asked questions

Who created the Monument to the Asturian Hacendistas? The sculpture was made by José Antonio Nava Iglesias, a sculptor born in Oviedo, in 1980.

Who is the monument dedicated to? It honors seven Asturian economists and treasury officials: Alonso de Quintanilla, José del Campillo, Pedro Rodríguez de Campomanes, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, Álvaro Flórez Estrada, José Canga Argüelles, and Alejandro Mon.

Where exactly is the monument located? In the Llamaquique gardens, on calle Alférez Provisional in Oviedo.

Is it free to visit? Yes, the monument stands in a public space and can be viewed at any time, free of charge.