The largest sculpture in the world is in Spain and was built by a single man

This village is a work of art, and you won’t find another like it. It is composed of streets, squares, a chapel, and even a jail, but no one lives here. The truth is that no one has ever lived here because it is a work by a sculptor from Burgos. Although it might look like an abandoned village scattered throughout Spain, this is not the case. In fact, it is a thematic sculpture that is constantly evolving. This place is a beautiful view, but an even greater experience.

Origins of the largest sculpture in the world

Territorio Artlanza sits in Quintanilla del Agua, in the heart of Burgos. Its name refers to its raison d’être and the Comarca del Arlanza, whose capital is Lerma. It is a singular fusion between art and Castilian essence, between creativity and the intention to preserve old traditions. It is said that this place is the biggest sculpture in the world. And it well could be, considering that it was sculpted by a single artist who has devoted the last 15 years of his life to doing so. His work stretches over 30,000 square metres.

The idea came up unexpectedly. It stemmed from one of those sudden, life-changing events that make us reinvent ourselves. We are talking about a clay artist who was born in Quintanilla del Agua. He lived on his claywork for a few years, selling his pieces in flea markets. But a financial crisis began in 2008, and art wasn’t as profitable as it used to be. An idea was born in the mind of the adventuresome Félix Yáñez: he would shape a true Castilian village with his own hands.

There was a reason behind that thought. He had recreated a building in his workshop. It reminded people of the traditional architecture of the area and they were interested in it. So he began a journey that continues today. What once was a sort of life-size model turned into a true village full of details that only lacks villagers.

Meet Territorio Artlanza

To wander around this particular work of art is to travel back in time. Its houses, made of adobe and timber framing, have the traditional soportales of the old houses that were lost in many villages in Castilla y León. Here you can find every possible traditional element, such as an old calvary in the heart of one of its squares and the stone bridge that crosses a tiny stream.

Although most of these buildings are mere façades, you can enter some of them and discover exhibition spaces that display life as it used to be. This sort of ode to nostalgia is shaped like wooden school desks, a tahona where you can almost smell fresh baked bread, or one of those typical taverns where never-ending mus games took place.

For some visitors, a walk through Territorio Artlanza brings some memories back. But it can be a whole new world for youngsters. The ethnographic museums in these narrow streets and squares portray the daily life of every village when time was so much slower than now. There was not any machinery in this era. It was the blacksmiths who forged diverse metal objects with their own hands. And shopping didn’t involve any shopping centres or the Internet.

In Territorio Artlanza, you will find a hostel, shops, and even an old botica or drugstore, but there is still a place for culture. The templete in one of its squares proves it. But the greatest sample are the two lively corrales de comedias, which are destined for cultural activities and festivals of diverse types.

A sustainable sculpture

You will discover one thousand and one surprises by wandering around Territorio Artlanza, but you should take your time if you want to learn its secrets. This village is more than a recreation, it is real because those wooden windows and doors of its houses belonged to others before this place existed. And so did the wood beams, the roof tiles, the stones, and the bars of the balconies.

Most of the pieces, details, and elements of Territorio Artlanza have found a second life here. The whole village has been built with materials gathered from landfills and spoilt tips. Other materials have been donated by people who look forward to doing their part in this work of art that keeps growing. Actually, the inspiration for this unfinished work and its development rely partially on the materials that are either found by the creator or donated to the project.

Stone by stone, beam by beam, the largest sculpture in the world keeps growing and evolving, just as time does. The last creation is a children’s area, composed of miniature buildings and colourful tiles that add a special touch.

You can also read this article in Spanish here.

 

Follow us on Facebook!