Named the “Monument to the Book”, it is a sculpture that measures more than two meters high. Surely you have seen it many times, as it is in the city as a tribute to the book since its creation in 1994 by Joan Brossa.
It is located at the intersection of Gran Vía and Passeig de Gràcia. It looks like a huge half-open book on a blue hemispherical base.
It was initially conceived as a visual poem and pays homage to the Antiquarian and Modern Used Book Fair.
It is a landmark through which many people pass.
An immovable tribute to the book
The sculpture is an immovable piece that is part of the Passeig de Gràcia. It is catalogued as a visual poem where a book will never fall to the ground, even if critical moments pass.
The “Monument to the book” was placed at this point, since the annual Antique and Modern Second-hand Book Fair is held on Passeig de Gràcia.
The fair has been organized since 1951 by the Gremio de Libreros de Viejo de Cataluña.
In order to commemorate this exhibition, the design of the monument was commissioned to the poet Joan Brossa.
The monument is made of painted stainless steel plates (formerly iron). These form the pages and covers of the book.
The figure is 2.16 m high and rests on a rectangular base of gray granite.
At the base of the work you can see the plaques signed by the Catalan writers who each year are honored by the Guild of Old Booksellers.
