The Astronaut

The Astronaut is a stainless-steel sculpture standing on the Glorieta del Universo in Valdemoro, in the El Restón neighborhood south of Madrid. At four metres tall with a polished, reflective surface, the spacesuited figure is visible well before you reach the roundabout itself.

Who made the sculpture, and when?

The piece was created by Francisco Leiro, a Galician sculptor known for large-scale figurative work. It was cast in 2001 at Fundición Capa, a specialist art foundry in Arganda del Rey, near Madrid. The sculpture is made of cast stainless steel, giving it a smooth, mirror-like surface that catches and reflects light.

What does it look like and what is it made of?

The astronaut figure stands four metres tall and weighs 2,600 kilograms. It holds a rigid, upright pose in a full spacesuit, mounted on a hemispherical base covered in coal mineral that mimics the surface of the Moon. The dark, matte base contrasts deliberately with the gleaming steel of the figure above it — a visual pairing meant to set the human form apart from the lunar-like sphere beneath it. No other decorative elements were added to the roundabout, keeping that contrast the clear focal point.

Why is the sculpture located here?

The sculpture stands on the Glorieta del Universo — the "Roundabout of the Universe" — a name chosen to match its centerpiece. Installing the astronaut was part of a public art program launched by Valdemoro's municipal government in the early 2000s, intended to give newly developed districts such as El Restón a distinct visual and cultural identity as the town expanded.

What does the astronaut figure represent?

The astronaut motif points to human exploratory spirit and to scientific and technological progress. The sculpture is generally read as a symbol of progress, of looking toward the future, and of pushing past limits. Over time it has become one of Valdemoro's recognizable emblems, appearing regularly in the town's promotional imagery.

Is it worth visiting in person?

The roundabout sits in El Restón, one of the districts that has grown fastest in Valdemoro over the past two decades. It works well as a landmark for orienting yourself while exploring the town on foot or by car — the sculpture's height and reflective surface make it stand out clearly against the surrounding residential architecture, and it's visible from the main approach roads into the neighborhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created The Astronaut sculpture? Galician sculptor Francisco Leiro created the piece, which was cast in 2001 at the Fundición Capa foundry in Arganda del Rey.

How tall is the sculpture and what is it made from? It stands four metres tall, weighs 2,600 kilograms, and is made of cast stainless steel.

Exactly where in Valdemoro is the sculpture located? On the Glorieta del Universo, a roundabout in the El Restón neighborhood, south of Valdemoro's town centre.

What does the dark base under the figure represent? The hemispherical base is covered in coal mineral to resemble the Moon's surface, creating a contrast with the polished steel astronaut above it.