The Torrijos obelisk was erected in memory of General José María Torrijos y Uriarte and his 48 companions who were shot without trial on the beach of San Andres de Málaga on December 11, 1831 for planning to unleash the liberal uprising throughout Spain. What’s so special about this monument? Let us reveal several interesting details, curiosities and even some mysteries!
Were the Masons involved?
The monument is in the form of a pyramid which is decorated with a series of laurel wreaths on each of its four sides and on the top. In total, 49 of them. One for each victim of the event. There are theories of the masonic symbolism of the monument. Indeed, the obelisk and the laurel wreaths may point in that direction. However, the most likely explanation is simple: the laurel wreaths are what the Romans gave to the heroes, while the obelisk of Egyptian origin symbolises eternity.
Location with a hidden meaning
The choice of location was symbolic. Plaza de Merced at that time was called Plaza de Riego, after a liberal general whose views were very much in line with Torrijos and that is why that space was chosen.
Sand from the execution site
The sand from the beach where General Torrijos and his companions were shot was used for the construction.
A monument or a mass grave?
Under the obelisk there is a small crypt where the bodies of almost all of those who made up the Torrijos group are found. Almost but not quite. One is missing - the Irishman Robert Boyd, a personal friend of Torrijos and the organiser of the liberal expedition to Malaga.
Another body was buried under a false name. Manuel Real is hiding under the name of Joaquín Cantalupi. Manuel was the son of General Real who was a member of the absolutist side. Apparently, Manuel disguised his real name so as not to harm or compromise his father.
The earthquake mark
In the upper part of the obelisk you can see one displaced piece. This was caused by the devastating earthquake that struck Malaga on Christmas day of 1884. The earthquake destroyed large parts of the city, killing almost eight hundred people and destroying four thousand homes. Malaga City Council decided not to repair this part and leave it as a memory of those tragic events.
Photo: weisserstier
