This bronze equestrian statue, designed by Juan Cristobal, was inaugurated in 1955.
With his sword and the cloak in the wind, mounted on his stallion “Babieca, “El Cid” has an attitude of departure towards exile. The sword points towards Valencia, a city he conquered in 1094. The statue faces towards San Pablo’s Bridge, where 8 sculptures related to this Castilian knight can be found which are the work of Joaquín Lucarini.
The position of the horse, standing on three legs, indicates that “El Cid” died from the wounds he got during a battle.
On the pedestal where the sculpture is situated you can read:
«EL CAMPEADOR LLEVANDO
CONSIGO SIEMPRE LA VICTORIA
FVE POR SV NVNCA FALLIDA
CLARIVIDENCIA
POR LA PRVDENTE FIRMEZA
DE SV CARACTER Y POR SV
HEROICA BRAVVRA
VN MILAGRO D LOS GRANDES
MILAGROS DEL CREADOR»
On the right side:
«AÑO 1099: EN ESPAÑA
DENTRO EN VALENCIA MVRIO
EL CONDE RODRIGO DIAZ
SV MVERTE CAVSO EL MAS
GRAVE DVELO
EN LA CRISTIANDAD
Y GOZO GRANDE ENTRE
SVS ENEMIGOS»
