The citizens of Madrid and abroad will be surprised when they go to Puerta del Sol and do not find the typical statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, which has been installed in the aforementioned square since January 10, 1967. Until now, it was located on the eastern side of the aforementioned square, between the streets of Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo.
From now on, the iconic sculpture will occupy the eastern end of the new line of benches, located in the north arch of the square. Not too far from where he was until now: about 10 meters away from his current location.
Work of the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé, the statue represents the main heraldic symbols of the city and of Spain.
The change of location made this week is its third move within the square and falls within the remodeling works of Puerta del Sol, which is scheduled to end on April 3 and make it more pedestrian again.
Its first location was between Calle Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo. Later, in 1986, it was moved to the beginning of Calle del Carmen and in 2009, it returned to its original location.
The statue, which has a granite pedestal from the Madrid mountains, weighs approximately 20 tons, measures 4 meters, and is made of stone and bronze.
To change its location, they have had the help of an archaeologist who works in Egypt moving monuments, who already collaborated with the city of Madrid in moving the arches of the San Gil barracks in the Plaza de España.
A metallic structure has been created to lift the statue and the piano at the same time. To separate the monument from the pavement, diamond wire has been used, which is very fine and does not cause damage when moving the monument. Its new location is closer to the metro exit, but it will continue to be visible very close to kilometer zero of the capital.
