The salamander on the Monumental Staircase in Park Güell is one of the park’s most recognisable symbols and a key piece of its heritage. As part of the ongoing work to preserve and study the sculptural elements of the site, a specific project to restore its front right foot was carried out, based on strict heritage preservation criteria and absolute respect for Gaudí’s original work.
The work to study and restore the salamander on the Monumental Staircase in Park Güell began in February 2025, with a view to finding out more about the piece and guaranteeing its conservation.
Once the preliminary studies were finished, and under the supervision of the Heritage Department at Ajuntament de Barcelona, sculptor Abel Vallhonesta proceeded to remove the front right foot and move it to his workshop. For over a year, the piece has undergone an in-depth study and analysis process to shed light on its internal structure, assess its state of conservation and study its actual integration into the steps, as a preliminary phase before its restoration.
Work to reinstall the foot has been carried out over the last two weeks, through meticulous work based on craftsmanship. The sculptor has returned the foot to its original position, painstakingly putting the trencadís ceramic fragments back together piece by piece to guarantee visual and material continuity with the rest of the sculpture.
The restoration was finished on 22 April 2026, with the foot fully integrated with the rest of the salamander. This intervention is part of a series of preliminary studies that aim to restore the integrity of the piece in terms of form and ensure its long-term preservation, while respecting the original essence of Gaudí’s work in accordance with the relevant heritage criteria.
INTERVENTIONS
PRESENT
