Gijón · Asturias
Santa Catalina hill and Elogio del Horizonte
Eduardo Chillida’s sculpture in a Cantabrian coastal landscape
Open location in Google MapsExplore the place
Santa Catalina hill extends Cimavilla towards the sea. The headland and Elogio del Horizonte belong to one visit: the open landscape helps explain how the sculpture became such a recognisable landmark of Gijón.
Visit tips
- Combine the hill with Cimavilla, choosing a route that suits your mobility.
- Check the weather and local notices before planning this outdoor visit.
- Look at the work from outside and from its inner space, leaving room for others.
Highlights
- Elogio del Horizonte, created by Eduardo Chillida in 1990.
- Reinforced-concrete sculpture cast on site.
- Santa Catalina headland, also called L’Atalaya in the cultural route.
- A continuation of the old quarter and San Lorenzo waterfront.
About this place
The hill’s position was strategically important in the city’s history. Today its coastal landscape forms a dialogue with Chillida’s work, inaugurated on 9 June 1990. Walk around the headland and change your position by the sculpture to see sea and sky framed through its open structure.
Basic information
- Place
- Cerro de Santa Catalina, Gijón
- Artwork
- Elogio del Horizonte
- Artist and date
- Eduardo Chillida Juantegui · 1990
- Material and scale
- Reinforced concrete · about 10 m high and 500 tonnes
Getting here
Official routes connect Cimavilla’s streets with the hill. Another municipal route descends from Santa Catalina towards San Lorenzo by the Club de Regatas area. Choose your direction according to your starting point and mobility. If you need to avoid steps or slopes, check the route’s characteristics before setting out.
What makes it worth visiting
Framing the horizon
Two supports carry an open elliptical structure. The weight of the concrete contrasts with sky and sea; moving around changes the space it frames. Its scale helps explain why the work can be experienced both as a sculpture and as a place to pause.
Looking and listening
The municipal route suggests standing inside to notice the work’s relationship with the sound of the sea. Treat this as an invitation to experience the artwork, rather than a promise of an identical acoustic effect in every wind or noise condition.
Suggested sequence
- Explore Cimavilla first to place the hill in its urban setting.
- At the sculpture, look from outside and then from the space between its supports if access is permitted.
- Return through the quarter or continue towards the waterfront, following signs and the condition of the route.
Before you go
- Wind, rain and surface conditions can affect the walk. Follow closures and signs.
- Check local notices and access signs before setting out; events or maintenance can affect your walk around the hill.
Photography
The open structure offers different ways to frame the horizon. Keep circulation clear and respect temporary barriers when choosing a viewpoint.
Where to stay
Compare central Gijón, Cimavilla and the San Lorenzo waterfront for a stay combining public art, the old quarter and the beach. Check the actual route to your accommodation: map proximity does not guarantee level access.
Frequently asked questions
Who made Elogio del Horizonte?
Eduardo Chillida Juantegui. The work dates from 1990 and was inaugurated on 9 June that year.
Do I visit the hill and sculpture together?
Yes. The sculpture stands on Santa Catalina hill, so you can explore the artwork as you walk around the headland and look out to sea.
How long is the walk from San Lorenzo?
The time depends on your beach access, chosen route and walking pace. Calculate the route on the map and allow for the ascent and stops along the way.
Address and map
Elogio del Horizonte, Cerro de Santa Catalina, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Open location in Google MapsSources and editorial review
Reviewed by the Playa de San Lorenzo editorial team · 10 November 2026