El Alma del Ebro – Zaragoza, Spain - Atlas Obscura

El Alma del Ebro

This fantastic statue is on the grandest scale. 

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This statue, on the Expo site in Zaragoza , Spain , is of a person sitting on the  floor with legs drawn up to the chest and, to emphasise the anonymity, an absent face. 

It is sculptured from hundreds of, white painted, stainless  steel letters and  is now open for the public to freely walk inside (it was not always  so) to experience  the amazing scale of the work. It is 12m high and 7.5 m at its widest point. The letters are all 635mm in height but vary in thickness. This contributes to the different optical and shadow effects that occur during day and night

The work  by Jaume Plensa was completed for the 2008 Expo and actually the object speaks for itself as everyone will take away something different.

Know Before You Go

To get here by public transport use circular bus route Ci2 from the Tranvia (tram) stop "Pablo Neruda" and get off at Palais de Congres. If, as I did, you miss your stop get off asap and cross the road to catch the Ci1 running  in the opposite direction. If you are using the (highly recommended) Tarjeta Bus card it will not cost you any extra as you can change as may times as you like within an hour of the first validation.


The nearest cafeteria  is attached to the Aquarium  building and is reasonably  priced.

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