Villena unveils giant sculpture to honour creator of Madrid’s famous bear statue

Villena has unveiled a striking new sculpture paying tribute to one of the town’s most celebrated artists, Antonio Navarro Santafé, the creator of Madrid’s world-famous Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue.

The new artwork, titled Raíces del Alma (“Roots of the Soul”), now stands proudly in Paseo Chapí and was created by local artist Anyel Martínez to mark the 120th anniversary of Navarro Santafé’s birth.

The sculpture offers a modern interpretation of the legendary bear statue that has become one of Madrid’s most recognisable symbols and a popular meeting point for both tourists and residents in the Spanish capital.

Massive steel sculpture becomes new Villena landmark

The enormous structure measures 4.5 metres high and reaches almost six metres including its pedestal, with a total weight of more than six tonnes.

One of the sculpture’s most eye-catching features is its oxidised steel finish, specially designed to naturally evolve in colour and texture over time as it reacts to the environment.

The bear itself weighs around 1,200 kilos and includes polished steel details on the eyes, claws and teeth, creating a strong contrast against the darker oxidised metal.

Visitors have also been impressed by the tree section of the sculpture, which contains 28 branches and an astonishing 4,444 individually handmade metal leaves.

Each leaf was carefully shaped and polished by hand, highlighting the scale of craftsmanship involved in the project.

Tribute celebrates Antonio Navarro Santafé’s artistic legacy

Local officials believe the installation will quickly become a new cultural landmark and tourist attraction for Villena while celebrating the artistic legacy of Antonio Navarro Santafé.

The original Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue in Madrid remains one of Spain’s most photographed public monuments, making this tribute especially significant for the artist’s hometown.

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño) statue in Madrid, inaugurated in 1967 in Puerta del Sol, is a 20-tonne bronze monument representing Madrid’s official coat of arms. It symbolises a 13th-century resolution over land rights between the church and council, representing the city’s control over forests, while the bear signifies the town itself.