The Soul of the Ebro — Jaume Plensa in Zaragoza

The Soul of the Ebro by Jaume Plensa

Expo Zaragoza

Expo Zaragoza 2008 was an International Exhibition that was held in Zaragoza from June 14 to September 14, 2008 and whose thematic axis was "Water and sustainable development".

I visited the Zaragoza International Exposition with my family. Shortly after entering, we came across an immense sculpture, over 10 meters tall, composed of a multitude of letters. A large opening invited visitors to step inside—an invitation that proved irresistible to everyone there.

The sculpture was monumental, magnificent, and truly beautiful.

What fascinated me as a photographer was the light inside. Standing within those steel letters, the sunlight filtered through in constantly shifting patterns — impossible to capture in a single shot. I must have taken thirty photos trying

The Soul of the Ebro by Jaume Plensa

Crafted from large, white, stainless steel letters, the piece is shaped like a human figure sitting on the ground with its legs drawn up to its chest. To emphasize anonymity, the face is left absent. Measuring approximately 11 meters in height and over 8 meters in both width and length, the structure remains hollow inside, creating a unique sanctuary of light and steel.

Its name, "The Soul of the Ebro," is a tribute to the Ebro River, which flows through Zaragoza, the capital of Spain’s Aragon region.

The Soul of the Ebro by Jaume Plensa

The sculpture was created by the renowned Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. His vision was for the sculpted letters to represent the cells of the human body—which is over 60% water—inviting viewers to look within and reflect on the vital relationship between humanity and this essential element.

It is a work that leaves no one indifferent.