Exhibition spaces
Illa das Esculturas
Illa do Covo, also known as Illa das Esculturas (island of sculptures), is one of the most representative spaces of the town of Pontevedra. Due to its privileged location, by the Lérez River, it is in an area of great natural and landscape value that has been declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI), which is part of the Natura 2000 Network.
This space is a perfect combination of nature, art and landscape, as it boasts the Illa das Esculturas, a pioneering artistic project in Spain.
Architects Rosa Olivares and Xosé Antón Castro designed this space, which is an interesting permanent exhibition of open-air stone sculptures in a unique setting.
The project was completed in 1999, on the occasion of the celebration of the Jacobean Holy Year. Granite is present in all the works as a sort of homage to this material symbolising Galician culture from ancient times to the present day. Twelve top international artists created specific projects for the island, and each artist conceived a work that is connected with the landscape, the traditions of the place, the history of sculpture and stone, and especially with the essence of the human being and the relationship with nature. Today, the Illa das Esculturas is the largest open-air museum of contemporary art in Galicia and a must-visit for contemporary art lovers.
