Jules Verne visited Vigo twice, in 1878 and 1884, arriving on his yacht 'Saint Michel III'.
The monument commemorates the chapter 'The Bay of Vigo' from '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'.
In the novel, Captain Nemo uses the gold from the sunken ships of the Battle of Rande in the Vigo estuary to finance his struggle against imperialism.
The sculptor José Molares designed the statue to be interactive, allowing visitors to stand near or around the nautilus tentacles.
The base of the monument features an inscription referencing the author's visits to the Galician coast.
The Monumento a Jules Verne is a bronze sculpture located in Vigo, Spain, depicting the author Jules Verne perched atop a giant nautilus shell. It honors Verne’s literary connection to the city, specifically his 1870 novel '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', which features Captain Nemo visiting the Vigo estuary. Created by sculptor José Molares, the monument was inaugurated in 2005. The statue stands approximately three meters high and is positioned to face the harbor. The sculpture serves as a cultural landmark celebrating Vigo's maritime heritage and its historical appearance in classic science fiction literature. It is situated along the city's coastline, integrating the literary history of the area with its physical geography.
Stand slightly to the side of the monument to capture both Jules Verne and the backdrop of the Vigo estuary in a single frame.
Visit during low tide to better appreciate the view of the bay from the monument's vantage point.
Combine this visit with a walk through the nearby O Castro park for a broader view of the estuary.
The area is highly exposed to wind due to its coastal location; bring a light jacket even on sunny days.
Do not attempt to climb onto the bronze sculpture, as the material is delicate and protected.
