The three statues are named Damiana, Catarina, and Mariana to honor the three primary ethnic roots that formed the Brazilian population.
Artist Eliana Kertész chose to depict the figures with voluminous bodies as a deliberate rejection of standard beauty industry ideals.
The monument was commissioned to celebrate the 455th anniversary of the city of Salvador.
The sculptures were originally placed in the Ondina neighborhood, a prime location for the city's Carnaval circuit.
Locals frequently dress the statues in costumes or accessories to mark specific cultural events, such as the Bonfim festival or the Day of Iemanjá.
The artist, Eliana Kertész, was also a well-known politician and former city councilwoman in Salvador.
The bronze works were produced to be interactive, encouraging residents and tourists to take photographs with them.
The Monumento as Meninas do Brasil, commonly known as As Gordinhas de Ondina, consists of three bronze sculptures created by artist Eliana Kertész. The statues depict three women representing the diverse ethnicities of Brazil: Damiana (African descent), Catarina (European descent), and Mariana (Indigenous descent). Standing at the entrance of Ondina neighborhood, the figures are celebrated for their representation of body positivity and the beauty of the Brazilian woman. Each statue reaches approximately 3.5 meters in height and is positioned on a grassy island between two lanes of traffic. The artwork was installed in 2004 to commemorate Salvador's cultural identity. The sculptures are cast in bronze and weigh several tons each. They have become an unofficial symbol of Salvador, often decorated by locals during public festivals and holidays.
From the sidewalk on the ocean side of the street, which allows you to frame the statues with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.
Visit during daylight hours to safely navigate the surrounding traffic.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture all three figures in a single frame.
Combine this visit with a scenic drive along the nearby Atlantic coast.
Do not attempt to climb or sit on the bronze statues, as they are public art pieces and not benches.
