The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree appears on the coat of arms of Madrid and has done so since the 13th century. While the sculpture that depicts this symbol is only from the second half of the 20th century, it resides in the Puerta del Sol, one of the best-known and busiest places in the city. This combination has proven to be just as significant for residents as it is for visitors and has come to personify a powerful identity and legacy for the entire city.
The Symbol of Madrid
The appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of Madrid has its origin in the Middle Ages. This symbol represented the resolution between the king and clergy, which saw the woodlands become the property of the city while the animals and the plains went under the control of the church. After this agreement, the symbol became adopted by the city as its official emblem.
The Puerta del Sol was originally one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. The area has been an important meeting place for centuries that currently serves as a major transportation hub since it is located in the very heart of Madrid. In addition to connects several areas together and hosted events like Madrid’s New Year’s celebration.
The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree was created by sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé and installed on the east side of the Puerta del Sol in 1967. It was promoted by the section of Culture of the City council of Madrid, which wanted to represent the main heraldic symbols of the city and of Spain with a monument. It weighs approximately 22 tons and stands 13 feet tall. It rests on a staggered cubic pedestal of granite.
In becoming a physical symbol of Madrid that is accessible in one of the most famous places in the city, the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree has come to represent the identity of the city in a way that has made a notable impact on the culture and economy of the region.
Defining the Identity of Madrid
The Puerta del Sol contains a number of well-known sights, including the clock of the Puerta del Sol and the mounted statue of Charles III of Spain. It also connects several commercial and recreational areas together and offers shopping and entertainment options to locals and visitors. These connections to Madrid have made it the perfect spot for a sculpture like the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree to further define the identity of the city.
While the icon has a history that stretches back for hundreds of years, it’s the interactions that people can have with the piece that allowed it to become a true icon for Madrid. Because of them, the statue has become an essential feature in maps and guides of the city, as well as a place where tours can begin and end. Many have mentioned that a trip is not complete without a photo of the monument.
Across the city, there are countless items for sale that feature the icon of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, but the symbol also appears in places that signify the importance of this icon to the culture. That can be anything from an official message from the city to pieces of infrastructure. The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree showcases what can happen for a city when a symbol resonates on such a deeper cultural and economic level.
Visitors are constantly posing in front of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue and it’s just as accessible at night as it is during the day. This accessibility has helped it to define an identity for Madrid to ensure it continues to be a symbol of the city in the present and future.
The Significance of a Heraldic Symbol
There are a handful of symbols and statues that are synonymous with certain cities or regions, and the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree has become that sort of icon for Madrid. Over the centuries, the symbol has come to represent the city on a deeper heraldic level. That significance directly enabled the creation of a statue that stands in the heart of the city and reminds residents of their rich heritage while providing visitors with a means to connect with the past and present of Madrid.
