Spain is rightfully considered one of the world’s top tourist gems, attracting millions of visitors each year. Travelers are drawn not only by its culinary delights and stunning natural landscapes, but also by its incredibly rich cultural heritage. Beyond its majestic cathedrals, ancient fortresses, and grand palaces, Spain’s charming streets and city parks hide some rather unusual monuments. These are dedicated not to kings or military leaders, but to pop culture icons who have become true symbols of their era and left a lasting mark on people’s hearts. One such intriguing and touching monument, a must-see at least once in a lifetime, stands in the very heart of Asturias, in the elegant city of Oviedo.
The heroine on the bench
In the shade of the trees in San Francisco’s central city park, a little girl with a signature head of thick black hair took a seat on an ordinary bench. This is Mafalda—a character born on the pages of Argentine comics back in the distant 1960s who has since become a global phenomenon. Created by the talented artist Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, better known by his pseudonym Quino, this inquisitive girl, always concerned about the fate of the world, quickly won the hearts of readers across the globe. Through her, the author addressed global issues, politics, social injustice, and timeless human values, expressing deep philosophical ideas through the lens of childlike innocence and witty dialogue.
The sculpture in Oviedo perfectly captures the heroine’s nature: she sits with her head slightly tilted, in a pose full of thoughtfulness and childhood seriousness. It feels as if she is about to ask a passerby one of her tricky questions about the world or the meaning of life, inviting them to pause and reflect.
A tribute to the creator
The appearance of the sculpture in the capital of Asturias was not a coincidence, but the result of a significant cultural milestone. In 2014, its creator, Quino, received one of the most prestigious awards in the Spanish-speaking world—the Prince of Asturias Award (now the Princess of Asturias Award) in Communication and Humanities. The jury praised the enormous cultural and educational impact that Mafalda and her universe have had on generations of readers around the globe. To mark this achievement and honor the artist’s talent, it was decided to install a monument to his most famous creation.
The work was created by Argentine sculptor Pablo Irrgang, who had previously made a similar and hugely popular statue in San Telmo, Buenos Aires. Quino himself, who was already over 80 at the time, attended the unveiling ceremony in Oviedo, lending the event a special warmth and significance.
A point of attraction
The bronze Mafalda, sitting thoughtfully on a bench, instantly became one of the city’s most photographed landmarks and a favorite meeting spot for both tourists and Oviedo locals. She seems to invite passersby to sit beside her, snap a photo, and share a quiet moment of reflection in the park’s greenery. Her popularity is so great that occasionally a small line forms next to the bench.
Interestingly, not far from it stands another iconic life-size sculpture — a monument to the famous American filmmaker Woody Allen. Together, they form a unique art route dedicated to icons of modern global culture, which has become an integral and vibrant part of the city’s landscape.
