The sculpture was created by artist Alfonso Vilar Lamelas, a renowned Galician sculptor known for his focus on maritime and ethnographic themes.
The monument specifically honors the women of O Grove, who have historically been the primary practitioners of intertidal shellfish gathering in the region.
The location in Praza do Corgo was chosen to integrate the monument into the daily flow of local life, situated directly between the town center and the fishing harbor.
The monument represents the 'mariscadoras' using traditional rakes ('rastros') and baskets ('bouzas'), tools still utilized in local artisanal fishing today.
The Monumento a la Familia Mariscadora is a prominent bronze sculpture located in the coastal town of O Grove, Pontevedra. It serves as a tribute to the local shellfish harvesters who have historically underpinned the town's economy and maritime culture. The sculpture depicts a family unit engaged in the traditional manual labor of gathering mollusks from the intertidal zones of the Ría de Arousa. Installed in the Praza do Corgo, it acts as a cultural anchor near the town’s main waterfront. The work highlights the labor-intensive nature of 'marisqueo,' a practice central to the Galician identity. The bronze figures are rendered in a realistic style, capturing the tools and postures associated with the craft. As of July 2026, the monument remains a central feature of O Grove’s public space and heritage trail.
From the western side of the square to capture the sculpture with the harbor and the Ría de Arousa in the background.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent port area to see active fishing boats.
Visit during the town's major seafood festivals to see the local community honoring the culture represented by the monument.
Observe the monument during low tide, when you can see the actual sandy flats where the work depicted in the statue takes place.
Do not climb on the bronze base, as it is a protected heritage element of the plaza.
