An anonymous group, informally known as 'Friends of the Erotic Tiles', has issued an urgent appeal for the preservation of over 1,000 anonymous erotic tiles found on bridges and viaducts across Central Catalonia. The group, which has catalogued 1,015 tiles since late 2022, is concerned about a recent increase in thefts and damage.
Most of the tiles, nearly 500, are located in the Bages region. Members of the group, who wish to remain anonymous like the artist, consider the tiles to be an artistic work that harms no one and should be conserved. They are primarily found on bridges and viaducts in Bages, Berguedà, Cerdanya, along the Cardener river in Súria, Cardona, and Solsonès, and also in Tarragona regions.
One group member told Regió 7 that they started finding the tiles while hiking and cycling, quickly discovering 400. They then connected with three other individuals who were also cataloguing the tiles. "We are four, but we all have colleagues and acquaintances who notify us when they find them, and that's how we expand our collection," the member explained.
Concerns Over Tile Theft and Damage
The group has always found some broken tiles, which they initially attributed to people who disliked the erotic theme. However, the situation has worsened, with many tiles now being removed entirely. Marks from angle grinders and stone saws suggest organised theft.
"We don't know the real intention, but many have been ripped out, and that's disheartening," the group member said. "We don't know if it's one person or several." Most of the missing tiles are around the Llobregat river in Manresa and along the Cardona-Súria axis. The stolen tiles are typically the most visible and easily accessible ones.
Some tiles are placed at great heights or in difficult-to-reach locations, adding to the mystery. "We have to assume that all of them are placed with some intention," the group stated. "Many are exposed to be seen, but many others are really well hidden and not easily found."
Unique Artistry and Public Interest
The tiles display various techniques, including majolica with bright colours and single-colour 'corda seca' styles. They come in different types, series, and themes, all erotic, featuring penises, vulvas, effluvium, and rhyming couplets. Despite the large number, the group has not found any repeated designs, suggesting a "very studied and elaborate work."
Generally, the tiles are dated with Roman numerals. The oldest found are from 2022, with others dated up to 2025. No tiles from 2026 have appeared so far. The tiles have generated considerable public interest, with the Súria hiking centre organising excursions to follow the local installations. The town's health centre has also led walks to view them.
"They are fun and entertaining, they make people laugh and don't harm anyone," the group members said, calling the act of stealing them selfish. The identity of the artist or artists remains unknown. "We have no suspicions. We simply know it's a person, a group, or a collective that wants to be anonymous, and we respect that. If we knew, we wouldn't say," the 'Friends of the Erotic Tiles' affirmed.
Documenting the Tiles
The group has created Instagram accounts, @stravarts and @amics_rajoles_erotiques, to document and share images of the tiles. Technicians working on bridge and viaduct maintenance along the Llobregat axis were the first to publicly report the discovery of the mysterious tiles in mid-2023. Since then, more have continued to appear, though none have been found this year.
