Itziar Sculpture – Oteiza

The 6000 square metre square in Zumarraga, built over the RENFE trench, is a large urban space reclaimed from the railway. Before, this area was occupied by junk and broken wagons, in a dark and dirty environment, but today it is an important meeting point for the community. In this space is the Itziar sculpture, a donation by Jorge Oteiza to the town. The sculpture is named after Oteiza’s wife, Itziar Carreño, who died shortly before its unveiling.

Itziar is a work of abstract art, made of 3-millimetre-thick sheet metal, 4 metres high, 5 metres long and weighing six tonnes. The sculpture was transported from Oiartzun, where it was created, by special transport. The work is characterised by its geometric shapes and minimalist design, with an interesting play of light and shadow that allows us to see the landscape of Gipuzkoa reflected in its peaks and hollows: its villages, valleys and rivers. The sculptor used this way of capturing light to highlight the relationship between the work and the surrounding natural environment, creating a unique connection between art and landscape.

This space has become a key place for the inhabitants of Zumarraga and an important cultural attraction for visitors, who can enjoy the sculpture and the urban and natural environment in harmony. In addition, the location of the square makes it easy to access on foot, by car or by public transport, making it an easy destination for visitors.