Cubos de la Memoria

The Cubos de la Memoria are fourteen painted concrete blocks along Llanes' harbour wall, covered in vivid geometric murals by the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola. Commissioned in 1992 to decorate the otherwise utilitarian floodgate structures protecting the harbour, the cubes have become the defining image of Llanes — bold, colourful and completely unexpected in a small medieval harbour town.

The murals use strong primary colours and geometric forms, typical of Ibarrola's style, and they look different at every hour of the day as the light changes. At high tide, when the harbour is full and the cubes reflect in the water, the effect is particularly striking. The installation is free to view and is right in the centre of town, making it an easy first stop on arrival. Walk the full length of the harbour wall to see all fourteen cubes — the round trip is about 500 metres.

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A story
The painted concrete cubes were commissioned in 1992 to cover the otherwise grim floodgate structures along Llanes' harbour wall. Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola, who had been imprisoned under Franco for his politics and his art, covered each cube in bold geometric patterns and vivid colours. Local opinion was divided for years — some residents hated them. They are now the most-photographed sight in Llanes.