Tall Irregular Progression. A les Víctimes del terrorisme

Tall Irregular Progression. A les Víctimes del terrorisme is a memorial sculpture in Barcelona dedicated to the victims of terrorism, standing at the junction of Avinguda Meridiana and Avinguda Rio de Janeiro, on the edge of Can Dragó park in the Nou Barris district.

What does the monument look like?

The sculpture takes the form of a pyramid built from black granite blocks, stacked in an irregularly growing sequence of layers. The structure reaches 12 meters in height. It was created by Sol LeWitt, an American artist associated with minimalism and conceptual art, internationally known for geometric, modular forms. The work's title, "Tall Irregular Progression," refers directly to this rising, uneven progression of blocks.

Who is the memorial dedicated to?

The monument honors the victims of terrorism, specifically those killed or injured in the bombing of the Hipercor department store in Barcelona on June 19, 1987. The attack, carried out by an ETA cell using a car bomb in the shopping center's car park, killed 21 people and injured 45 — one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Catalonia's history.

At the base of the sculpture, set into the ground, an inscription reads roughly: "The city of Barcelona in memory and tribute to the victims of terrorism." This restrained but unambiguous message gives the site a commemorative character rather than a purely artistic one.

When was it unveiled?

The sculpture was inaugurated on June 26, 2003, more than a decade after the attack itself. The choice of location — Nou Barris, the district neighboring the site of the tragedy — is deliberate: the monument stands close to where the attack took place, creating a lasting point of reference for residents and visitors who wish to remember the victims.

Why is it worth visiting?

This is not a conventional sightseeing attraction in the spectacular sense, but a site of significant historical and social weight. For visitors interested in contemporary public art, it is also a rare Barcelona work by Sol LeWitt, an artist whose pieces are held in major museum collections worldwide. The austere black granite form contrasts sharply with the surrounding park greenery, reinforcing the gravity of the place.

Visitors should approach the site with quiet respect — it commemorates people who lost their lives to an act of terrorism, not an ordinary city square.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the monument located? At the junction of Avinguda Meridiana and Avinguda Rio de Janeiro, on the edge of Can Dragó park, in the Nou Barris district of Barcelona.

Who created the sculpture? Sol LeWitt, an American minimalist and conceptual artist known for geometric public installations around the world.

What event does the monument commemorate? The ETA terrorist bombing of the Hipercor department store in Barcelona on June 19, 1987, which killed 21 people and injured 45.

When was the monument unveiled? On June 26, 2003.