The monument depicting a bear climbing a strawberry tree is the work of the Spanish sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé. It was created in the 1960s in relation to the coat of arms of the city. You can see him on the Puerta del Sol.
The monument was made of stone and bronze, its height is 4 meters, weighs about 20 tons. It was set on a granite pedestal. It was moved twice, but always within the Puerta del Sol square.
A bear that feeds on strawberry tree fruit appeared in the city's coat of arms in the 13th century. Earlier, the image of the animal itself was used.
According to legends, the bear symbol comes from the time when the city was surrounded by dense forests inhabited by teddy bears. Today's monument is a great landmark, and the square on which it stands is a popular meeting place.
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