Barcelona City Council has removed the unauthorised Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé statues from the Montjuïc area. The council took this action just twelve days after a guerrilla artist covertly installed the tribute.
The unauthorised artworks appeared on a staircase leading to the Font Màgica (Magic Fountain). Consequently, they quickly became a draw for tourists and locals alike. However, municipal workers dismantled the installation on Monday because it lacked the necessary permits.
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Home » Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé Statues Removed from Barcelona
Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé Statues: A Brief Tribute
The statues were the work of Mykhailo Kolodko, a Ukrainian sculptor based in Hungary. Known for placing small-format bronze figures in emblematic locations across Budapest, Kolodko travelled to Barcelona specifically to pay homage to the city’s operatic legacy.
The figures depicted the legendary Queen frontman and the Catalan soprano performing their iconic 1987 anthem, “Barcelona”. The song became the musical symbol of the 1992 Olympic Games and remains deeply connected to the city’s identity.
According to the artist, the sculpture was intended as a metaphor for unity. “It combined two very different styles, united by the love of music,” Kolodko told El Periódico. “For me, this duo is a metaphor for how the love of life can unite many people under the Barcelona sky.”
Municipal Response to the Statues
Despite the warm reception from passersby, the installation fell foul of local regulations. Many people stopped to photograph the miniature tribute. The statues had been cemented to the stone steps without any prior communication or authorisation from the City Council.
Teams from the Parks and Gardens department were tasked with removing the figures. Officials confirmed that the artworks are currently in custody at the Sants-Montjuïc District archive. The council will now decide on their future.
Kolodko noted that in Budapest, authorities often choose to leave his guerrilla works in place. This practice enriches the public space. However, the return of Mercury and Caballé to the steps of Montjuïc has proven ephemeral. For more information on public art policies, you can visit the Barcelona City Council website.
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