Hola, fellow travelers! Madrid has many icons – grand boulevards, royal palaces, flamenco bars buzzing with energy – but few symbols feel as deeply connected to the city’s identity as El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree). Standing proudly in Puerta del Sol, this beloved statue isn’t just a tourist photo spot. It represents history, land, power, nature, resilience, and the spirit of a city that has reinvented itself countless times over the centuries. And the more you understand its story, the more magical it becomes.
A Symbol Rooted in Time
Long before the bear became the mascot of Madrid, the region was covered with dense forests and home to abundant wildlife, including brown bears. Medieval records from the Comunidad de Madrid mention bears roaming the mountains and valleys surrounding the city, and early emblems of Madrid even depicted hunters and bears interacting with the land. Over time, the bear became a powerful symbol of strength, endurance, and the wild natural world that once surrounded the city.
As for the madroño, or strawberry tree, it’s a native Mediterranean plant with bright red berries and glossy evergreen leaves. In medieval Spain, it symbolized fertility, abundance, and harmony with nature. By the 13th century, the tree had become tied to Madrid’s identity, representing the lush landscapes and fertile soil around the young city. When paired with the bear, the image captured a deep connection between the land and the people who shaped it.
The Coat of Arms – A Balance of Power & Land
One of the most fascinating aspects of this emblem is how it came to be. In the 1200s, Madrid’s clergy and municipal authorities were locked in a long dispute over land ownership – specifically forests, pastures, and grazing rights. After years of tension, an agreement split ownership: the Church took the pasturelands, while the city retained control of the oak and strawberry-tree forests.
To mark this new balance, the bear in Madrid’s coat of arms – which initially appeared walking – was redesigned standing on its hind legs, reaching up toward the madroño. This upward movement symbolized the city’s claim to its forests and its responsibility to protect them. It also suggested growth, aspiration, and connection to the natural world.
This image became so iconic that it survived monarchies, wars, revolutions, and political upheavals – and today, it still adorns official Madrid emblems, taxis, trash bins, metro stations, and even sport jerseys.
The Statue in Puerta del Sol – A Modern Emblem With Ancient Roots
Created in 1967 by sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé, the bronze statue weighs over 20 tons and has become one of the city’s most photographed monuments. While the sculpture is modern, its symbolism is centuries old, and its placement at the very center of Madrid makes it feel almost like the city’s beating heart. Standing before it, you’ll notice how the bear gently leans into the madroño, paws resting on the trunk, as if seeking nourishment from something deeply rooted. It’s a poetic reminder of how Madrid has always grown by holding onto its past while reaching for the future. Locals walk by with casual affection, and tourists instinctively gather around it, drawn to a symbol that feels both playful and profound.
A Quiet Moment With a City’s Soul
When you visit the statue, pause for a moment. Watch the flow of life in Puerta del Sol – musicians playing nearby, families gathering, street performers adding color, and locals weaving through the crowd with purpose. Amid all the movement, the Bear and the Strawberry Tree stand steady, watching over a city that never stops evolving. It’s a reminder that even in a bustling capital, symbols of nature, heritage, and endurance still hold a place at the center of everything.
Bubbly Tips
- Where to Find It: Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s km-zero and beating heart
- Best Time for Photos: Early morning (soft light) or blue hour (gorgeous glow)
- Travel Tip: Pair your visit with a stroll down Calle Mayor or a stop at Chocolatería San Ginés
- Souvenir Idea: Look for bear-and-tree themed ceramics, pins, or tote bags, they’re everywhere
- On the Blog: Check my posts on Madrid landmarks, hidden gems, and the city’s fascinating history
Final Thoughts
The Bear and the Strawberry Tree is so much more than a cute statue in a busy square. It tells Madrid’s story in symbols: a city that grew from its forests, fought to protect its land, and learned to reinvent itself while staying fiercely true to who it is. Once you know the meaning behind it, you start spotting the motif everywhere – on lampposts, manhole covers, official crests, wine labels, even in tiny details you might otherwise walk right past.
For me, that’s the magic of travel: the moment when a symbol stops being just a photo opportunity and becomes a key to understanding a place more deeply. Next time you’re in Puerta del Sol, take a minute to stand by the statue, look up at the bear reaching for the madroño fruit, and feel how much history and pride are wrapped into that simple gesture.
Have you seen the bear and strawberry tree in Madrid or noticed it hidden somewhere unexpected in the city? I’d love to hear your stories and sightings in the comments!
xoxo,
Bubbly 🍓🐻
