A lorry has damaged Barcelona's La Sardana monument after striking the sculpture during works near Montjuïc Castle. The impact decapitated one of the eight dancers in the circle and tore off its arm, while two other figures lost a hand each, according to the Barcelona City Council.
The incident occurred on 19 August 2026, the council confirmed. The truck belonged to a private company carrying out work around the Plaça de la Sardana, situated between the Montjuïc road and the Jardins de Joan Brossa.
The company responsible immediately contacted the Sants-Montjuïc district to report the damage, accepted liability, and committed to covering restoration costs.
History of repeated damage
This is not the first time the 1966 sculpture, commissioned by Franco-era mayor Josep Maria Porcioles, has been harmed. In 2022, repairs costing €28,500 were carried out after a vandalism attack in October 2020 left eight figures with broken hands and arms.
Prior incidents include the loss of one statue in 2002, six damaged arms in 2014, and earlier restorations in 1984 due to deterioration. Sculptor Abel Vallhonesta led the 2022 restoration of the original limbs.
Restoration plans pending
The city council has not yet disclosed how much the new repairs will cost or whether the severed head and arm have been recovered. Officials say discussions are ongoing with the company to determine the best method for restoring the monument.
Primary sources: barcelona.cat, Universitat de Barcelona. Centre de Recerca Polis, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by regio7.cat, elperiodico.com, lavanguardia.com, barcelonaaldia.com, elnacional.cat, diaridetarragona.com, 20minutos.es, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, Regió 7.
