Barcelona removes the statues of Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury from Montjuïc

The small sculptures of Caballé and Mercury disappeared from Montjuïc after only 12 days. The City Council moved them to municipal premises. The news surprised residents and tourists. The tribute to the song Barcelona is on hold.

The removal of the statues of Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury from Montjuïc has left many Barcelona residents and visitors feeling that something special vanished too soon. In barely two weeks, the figures had become an unexpected meeting point and a must-see stop for people walking in the area, generating a constant stream of curious people and tourists seeking to capture the moment.

Barcelona City Council has decided to dismantle both sculptures and move them to municipal premises in the Sants-Montjuïc district. The decision has surprised those who already saw the tribute as a new cultural symbol in the city’s urban landscape. During the 12 days they remained in Montjuïc, the statues drew the attention of tourist guides and residents, who quickly added the visit to their usual routes.

The sculptor, artist Mijaíl Kolodko, has said that the song Barcelona, performed by Caballé and Mercury, represents far more to him than a simple musical duet. He considers their collaboration to symbolise the union of opposing styles through a passion for music, and sees in that encounter a metaphor for how the city can bring very different people together under one sky.

The news of the removal has generated debate on social media and among those defending spontaneous art in public space. For now, the sculptures remain out of sight, awaiting a possible new location or a final decision on their future in Barcelona.

Montserrat Caballé, born in Barcelona, is one of the best-known voices in international opera. Her 1987 collaboration with Freddie Mercury produced the iconic song Barcelona, which became an unofficial anthem of the city and a symbol of the 1992 Olympic Games. The piece remains a reference for Barcelona’s ability to inspire unique artistic encounters and project its cultural identity to the world.