Don Quixote and his friend Sancho Panza are certainly among the most famous novel heroes in the world and have been a symbol of Spanish culture since their publication. The novel by Miguel de Cervantes is therefore rightly considered a classic of world literature and one of the first works of modern European literature.
The Cervantes Monument in the heart of Madrid is one of the most popular meeting places for tourists and locals. It was unveiled in 1915 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the publication of the second part of the story about the knight of the sad figure.
The construction of the fountain is already interesting, such as the choice of materials used – through the two figures made of bronze (in contrast to the stone used for the rest of the structure) is intended to point out the contrast between fantasy and reality.
The rest of the monument is also interesting (but unfortunately is not on the picture): for example, Cervantes is enthroned above the whole scene (with a copy of “Don Quixote” in his hand), on the side are presented individual characters from the book and on the back crowns the structure an image of Spanish literature.