Praça da República de Aveiro

The charming Praça da República in Aveiro is home to important buildings. The Misericórdia Church, the City Council building, as well as the statue to José Estêvão Coelho de Magalhães, in the center of the square, are located here. Interesting stopping point after a long day on the bike.

Bronze statue. In 1888, Simões de Almeida (Uncle), considered a classical sculptor with intentions for a naturalist aesthetic, designed the statue of José Estêvão, in which the notable tribute gives a speech before his peers, in a very dynamic pose. The statue is placed, as was the case at the time, on a more or less low pedestal, accessible to the gaze of passers-by. The naturalism of the work is revealed in the face, the hair, especially in the natural folds of the clothing, as well as in the position of the head, which is positioned as naturally as possible due to a technique he used – very slight rotation and inclination. The statue stands on a quadrangular pedestal, in marble, with several inscriptions alluding to the honoree on its four sides, with the front reading “1809 – 1862. To José Estêvão Coelho de Magalhães. The city of Aveiro