Statue of Almanzor, Algeciras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Almanzor in Algeciras |
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The statue in April 2009
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| Artist | Mariano Roldán |
| Year | 2002 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Location | Algeciras, Andalusia, Spain |
The Statue of Almanzor is a bronze statue made in 2002. It shows Almanzor, who was a powerful leader in Islamic Spain a long time ago. The statue was first placed in Algeciras, a city in southern Spain. It was removed in 2013 and is not yet back on display.
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About the Statue's Look
The design for this statue won a special competition. It is made of bronze and has a modern style. The statue shows Almanzor holding a Quran (a holy book) in his right hand. In his left hand, he holds a sword.
Almanzor was a very important military leader from Al-Andalus, which was the name for parts of Spain ruled by Muslims long ago. He was known for leading many military campaigns.
History of the Statue
The statue was put up in Algeciras, Andalusia, Spain, in 2002. It was designed by an artist named Mariano Roldán. The statue was placed there to mark 1,000 years since Almanzor's death. It was first located near the ancient Marinid Walls of Algeciras.
Why the Statue Was Moved
In August 2013, the city of Algeciras decided to remove the statue. They wanted to fix its surface and do other repairs. Pilar Pintor, a local official, said the statue would be moved to a better historical spot. This was because the place where it first stood was thought to be an old Islamic site. But later, experts believed it was actually Christian ruins.
An old kiln, which is a type of oven, was found in these ruins. The city council decided to put this kiln where the statue used to be. They said it showed how important pottery was in Algeciras's history.
Where is it Now?
By November 2016, the statue had still not been put back on display. Some local politicians asked the city government about it. They were worried that the city was not taking care of its history.
In June of the next year, the statue was found covered up in a warehouse. As of August 2020, the statue is still not on public display.
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