Here we show you the most famous statues and sculptures in Malaga, dedicated to famous people in the city. Learn more about the history of Malaga and the relationship of these figures with the city.
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Statue of the Fisherman “Cenachero”
The Statue of the Fisherman is a bronze sculpture from 1968 created by the Malaga artist Jaime Fernández Pimentel.
It is located in the Plaza de la Marina and is a symbol of Malaga that represents a very popular character, the old fish seller who carried a “cenacho” (a wicker basket) in each arm and dressed with a sash and a hat, a figure that is no longer seen today. It is inspired by Manolo “El Petaca”, an old fisherman from Malaga.
“A cenacho is a rounded-shaped wicker basket that was handmade. It was filled with fish on the beaches when the net was collected, usually with anchovy, horse mackerel, sardines, or “chanquetes” (small fish).”
How to get to the Statue of the Fisherman in Malaga?
The statue of the “Cenachero” is located in the Paseo del Parque in Malaga, near the city’s port. If you are in the historic center of Malaga, you can reach the statue by walking about 10-15 minutes south towards the port. You can also take bus number 16, which has a stop near the statue. If you prefer to use the metro, the closest station is La Malagueta, which is about a 15-20 minute walk from the statue.
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The Biznaguero
The Statue of the Biznaguero is a bronze sculpture created in 1963 by the artist Jaime Fernández Pimentel.
It is located in the Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens, next to the City Hall of Malaga, and represents a very characteristic figure in Malaga, the ambulatory seller of biznagas, dressed in a popular suit, who carries the biznagas in a penca in his left hand and with his right hand resting on his face, looking up at the sky, as if he were proclaiming the sale of the biznagas.
“The biznaga is a characteristic “flower” of Malaga, consisting of jasmine flowers that are individually inserted into a skeleton that comes from a common thistle such as the nerdo, forming a ball shape and with a characteristic scent.”
How to get to the Biznaguero Statue in Malaga?
The Biznaguero Statue is located in Paseo del Parque in Malaga, near the historic center. If you’re coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Paseo del Parque-Ayuntamiento” stop, which is located near the statue. You can also walk there if you’re in the city center, simply head towards Paseo del Parque and the statue will be a few meters from the main entrance.
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The Espetero
The Espetero Statue is a sculpture created by Machú Harras and was inaugurated in 2006.
It is located on the Antonio Banderas Promenade in Málaga and represents a very characteristic character in the Málaga of the past and present. It represents the person responsible for grilling and roasting fish, especially sardines on skewers.
“The sardine skewers consist of sardines skewered on a cane (currently made of metal) which are grilled on the sand over the heat of the wood, previously directly on the beach sand and nowadays in boats at beach bars. “
How to get to the Espetero Statue in Malaga?
The Espetero Statue is located on the Antonio Banderas Seafront Promenade in Malaga. You can easily get there by public transportation, taking bus number 3 or 11 and getting off at the “El Palo” stop. From there, the statue is just a few minutes’ walk along the seafront promenade. You can also get there by car and park in the surrounding area.
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The Partygoer “Fiestero”
The Partygoer Statue is a sculpture by Miguel García Navas, inaugurated in 1998.
It is located in the roundabout of the Parque de Málaga and pays tribute to the “verdiales”, a traditional dance from Málaga, especially from some towns in the Axarquía and the Montes de Málaga.
“A ‘panda de verdiales’ is a group of musicians, singers, and dancers who perform ‘verdiales’, a traditional dance from Málaga. One of its members is known as the ‘fiestero”.
How to get to the Fiestero statue in Malaga?
The Fiestero statue, also known as “Monument to the Verdiales Pandas,” is located in Plaza España. You can reach the square by public transport or by walking from the city center. There are several bus stops nearby, and it can be easily accessed through the urban transport network.
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Marqués de Larios
The Statue of the Marqués de Larios is a bronze sculpture with a marble pedestal by Mariano Benlliure from 1899. The statue has two figures on the sides, a man with a pickaxe and a hoe, representing labor, and a woman presenting a child, representing charity.
It is located in the roundabout of Alameda principal, at the entrance to Calle Larios, and is a tribute to Manuel Domingo Larios y Larios, the promoter of the most important street in Malaga and the main investor.
“The statue of the Marqués was thrown into the sea when the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed and recovered after the Spanish Civil War”.
How to get to the Marqués de Larios monument in Malaga?
The Marqués de Larios monument is located on Calle Larios, in the historic center of Malaga. If you come by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Plaza de la Constitución” stop, which is just a few meters from the monument. You can also walk there from any point in the city center, simply heading towards Calle Larios.
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Pablo Picasso
The statue of Pablo Picasso is a bronze sculpture by Francisco López Hernández.
It is located seated on a bench in Plaza de La Merced and represents the painter with a thoughtful expression, sitting on a marble bench with a notebook and a pencil.
“The sculpture of Pablo Picasso sitting on a bench is called <The portrait of the painter Pablo Picasso>. You can sit next to it and take a souvenir photo.”
How to get to the statue of Pablo Picasso in Málaga?
The statue of Pablo Picasso is located in the city center of Malaga.
If you are coming by public transport, you can take the bus and get off at the stop “Plaza de la Merced”, which is just a few meters away from the statue. Alternatively, you can walk from the city center towards Plaza de la Merced.
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Hans Christian Andersen
The statue of Hans Christian Andersen is a bronze sculpture by José María Córdoba, inaugurated in 2005.
It is located sitting on a bench in Plaza de la Marina and is a tribute to the famous Danish writer, commemorating his visit to the city in 1862 which served as inspiration for his book “A Journey on Foot from Holmen’s Canal to the East Point of Amager”. Andersen is the author of famous works such as “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling”, among others.
“He also wrote another titled -In no other Spanish city have I felt as happy and comfortable as in Malaga-”.
How to get to the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Málaga?
If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Alameda Principal” or “Muelle Heredia” stop, which are close to the square. You can also walk if you are in the city center, just head towards the Alameda Principal and continue along Calle Larios until you reach Plaza de la Marina. The statue will be in the center of the square.
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Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
The Antonio Cánovas del Castillo statue is a bronze sculpture by Jesús Martínez Labrador, unveiled in 1975.
It is located in the Parque de Málaga and represents the illustrious Malaga politician and historian, author of the “Manifiesto de Manzanares.”
“Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was the father of the Constitution of 1876”.
How to get to the Monument to Antonio Cánovas del Castillo in Málaga?
The Monument to Antonio Cánovas del Castillo is located in Plaza del General Torrijos in Málaga, near the city’s historic center. If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Plaza de la Merced” stop, from where the monument is only a few minutes’ walk away. You can also walk from the city center, simply heading towards the Plaza de la Merced and then to the Plaza del General Torrijos.
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Comandante Benítez
The statue of Comandante Benitez is a bronze sculpture with a marble pedestal by sculptor Julio Gonzalez from 1926.
It is located in the Parque de Malaga and is a tribute to Comandante Julio Benitez Benitez, depicted as a soldier dressed in military attire holding a sword in his hands. The pedestal bears the inscription “To the heroic Comandante Benitez, 1921.”
“He was a hero of Igueriben, a battlefield during the Rif War in North Africa”.
How to get to the statue of Comandante Benitez in Malaga?
If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Puerta del Mar” stop, which is a few meters from the square. You can also walk if you are in the city center, simply head towards Calle Larios and continue walking south until you reach Plaza de la Marina.
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Salvador Rueda
The statue of Salvador Rueda is a sculpture composed of an obelisk with the relief of the face of the Malaga journalist and poet, created by the sculptor Francisco Palma García in 1931. Later, Adrián Risueño crowned this sculpture with an eagle with its wings spread.
It is located in the roundabout of the Parque de Málaga, very close to Plaza La Marina.
“A sculpture in honor of the Malaga poet and journalist Salvador Rueda Santos, author of many works such as ‘Fuente de salud’ (1906), ‘El gusano de luz’ (1889), and ‘Cantos de la vendimia’ (1891)”.
How to get to the monument of Salvador Rueda in Malaga?
If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Paseo del Parque-Ayuntamiento” stop, which is close to the monument. You can also walk there if you are in the city center, just head towards Paseo del Parque and the monument will be a few meters away from the main entrance.
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Miguel de los Reyes
The statue of Miguel de los Reyes is a bronze sculpture by the sculptor Miguel García Navas.
It is located in the Jardín de los Monos in the Victoria neighborhood and represents the singer and dancer Miguel de los Reyes standing, with a biznaga flower in his left hand, a jacket in his right hand thrown over his shoulder, and a shawl at his feet.
“The sculpture is a tribute to Miguel de los Reyes in the neighborhood where he was born; the Victoria neighborhood”.
How to get to the statue of Miguel de los Reyes in Malaga?
To get to the statue of Miguel de los Reyes in Malaga, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Plaza de la Victoria” stop, which is close to the garden. From there, you can walk to Jardín de los Monos and find the statue of Miguel de los Reyes.
If you prefer to walk, Plaza de la Victoria is located in the center of Malaga, so you can walk from any point in the center. Jardín de los Monos is located right next to the square.
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Manuel Agustín Heredia
The statue of Manuel Agustín Heredia is an iron sculpture by the sculptor José de Vílchez, cast at his own foundry where it was initially placed.
It is located on Avenida Manuel Agustín Heredia and pays tribute to this businessman who led major Spanish companies, with the most important ones based in Malaga. The sculpture holds a scroll with his left hand that reads “constantia et labore,” in honor of his perseverance, effort, and work. On the pedestal, we can see some reliefs depicting allegories in honor of his businesses: industry, commerce, and navigation.
“Manuel Agustín Heredia arrived in Malaga where he opened a small business and ended up becoming a great businessman, owning steel, textile, and chemical industries that supplied the whole of Spain. He also participated in the insurance, transport, and banking sectors.”
How to get to the monument of Manuel Agustín Heredia in Málaga?
The monument to Manuel Agustín Heredia is located in the square of the same name, in the historic center of Malaga. If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Plaza del General Torrijos” stop, which is very close to the monument. You can also walk if you are in the city center, just head towards the Plaza de la Constitución and continue along Granada street until you reach Manuel Agustín Heredia square.
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Cardenal Ángel Herrera Oria
The Statue of Cardinal Ángel Herrera Oria is a bronze sculpture by sculptor José María Palma Burgos, from 1970.
It is located on Calle Cortina del Muelle, next to the Cathedral, and is a tribute to the bishop of Malaga from 1947 when he was appointed until his death in 1968, being buried in the Cathedral of Malaga.
“The statue of Cardinal Ángel Herrera Oria had no inscription until 2016 when an identifying plaque was placed on its pedestal”.
How to get to the statue of Cardenal Ángel Herrera Oria in Malaga?
The statue of Cardenal Ángel Herrera Oria is located in the Plaza de la Solidaridad, near the historic center of Malaga. If you come by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “Alameda Principal” stop. From there, walk east on Molina Lario street until you reach the square. You can also walk if you are in the city center, just head towards Calle Larios and then continue on Molina Lario street until you reach the square.
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Padre Tiburcio Arnaiz
The statue of Padre Tiburcio Arnaiz is a life-size bronze sculpture located in front of El Corte Inglés, in the roundabout that leads from Avenida de Andalucía to Calle Armengual de la Mota. It was erected by popular request to honor the human and apostolic merits of Tiburcio Arnaiz, known as the Apostle of Malaga, particularly for his assistance to the poor. The statue depicts him with his hands extended forward to those in need. It has a crucifix on his chest and his cape hanging from one shoulder and held at the waist, a typical feature of the Jesuits.
“Father Arnaiz rented rooms in the ‘corralón’ to use as a small school where he taught the poor to read, write, and do arithmetic. He also did this in the surrounding towns, being a precursor of the so-called rural doctrine”.
How to get to the statue of Padre Tiburcio Arnaiz in Málaga?
The statue of Padre Tiburcio Arnaiz is located in a roundabout that leads from Avenida de Andalucía to Calle Armengual de la Mota, near the center of Malaga. If you are coming by public transport, you can take the urban bus and get off at the “El Corte Inglés” stop. Alternatively, if you are in the city center, you can simply head towards Avenida de Andalucía and look for the statue in the roundabout.
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