Statue of Antonio López Sánchez-Prado

The Statue of Antonio López Sánchez-Prado stands in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa, right in front of the city's former town hall. This bronze monument honors a physician who became Ceuta's first republican mayor, and whose personal story is tied to one of the most dramatic chapters in the city's twentieth-century history.

Who was Antonio López Sánchez-Prado?

Sánchez-Prado took office as mayor of Ceuta on April 22, 1931, becoming the city's first republican mayor. A physician by profession, he was widely respected as a humanist and public figure. His term ended tragically: after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War he was arrested, and following the denial of a pardon petition, he was executed by firing squad on September 5, 1936, on Tarajal beach — a site just a short distance from the border with Morocco. The sentence was handed down by a summary military court-martial.

What will you see at the monument?

The bronze statue was unveiled on September 1, 2006, and stands on the avenue that bears his name — Alcalde Antonio López Sánchez-Prado, known locally as Gran Vía. The sculpture faces the building where he once presided as mayor: the former city hall, today serving as the Palace of the Assembly of Ceuta (Palacio de la Asamblea). Symbolically, the statue "guards" the Noble Door of that building, underscoring his connection to the institution he once led. A plaque on the pedestal also commemorates him as a doctor, humanist, and mayor, placed there by the national council of medical colleges during a session held in Ceuta in 2017.

How do you get to the statue?

The monument sits right in the heart of the city, along Ceuta's main avenue, making it easily reachable on foot from most points in the old town and the port area. The location's coordinates are 35.88822, -5.31614. A walk through central Ceuta lets you combine a stop at the statue with a look at neighboring administrative landmarks and the city's historic urban layout.

When should you visit?

The site takes on particular significance every September 5, the anniversary of Sánchez-Prado's execution. Since 2016, an annual commemoration has been held on that date, when residents and city officials pay tribute to the former mayor. Visitors interested in local history may want to plan a trip around that date, though the statue can be viewed year-round, at any time of day, since it stands in an open public space.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the statue stand? On Alcalde Antonio López Sánchez-Prado avenue (Gran Vía), facing the Palace of the Assembly of Ceuta, the former town hall building.

When was the monument unveiled? On September 1, 2006, as a bronze sculpture.

Why is Sánchez-Prado an important figure for Ceuta? He was the city's first republican mayor and a physician respected for his civic work. He was executed in 1936 on Tarajal beach after his pardon was denied, making him a symbolic figure in the city's local history.

Are there any events held at the monument? Yes — since 2016, an annual commemoration has taken place every September 5 to mark the anniversary of his execution.

Is admission free? Yes, the statue stands in a public space and can be viewed at any time, free of charge, throughout the year.