Main Sculptures and Their Meanings

1. The Boy on the Seahorse

Created by Rafael Zamarripa, this sculpture has become an icon of the city. It depicts a young boy riding a seahorse, symbolizing Puerto Vallarta's close relationship with the ocean and the joy of its people.

2. The Rotunda of the Sea

Designed by Alejandro Colugna in 1996, this group of 16 bronze sculptures combines surrealist and marine elements. The pieces, including anthropomorphic chairs with sea creature features, invite public interaction and evoke the mystical relationship between humans and the sea.

3. In Search of Reason

Sculpted by Segio Bustamante and installed in 2000, this

3. In Search of Reason
Sculpted by Sergio Bustamante and installed in 2000, this work features three human figures climbing a 6.8-meter ladder. It represents the human search for knowledge and reason. The sculpture is interactive and allows visitors to climb a few steps.

4. Nature as Mother
Created by Adrián Reynoso, this sculpture represents a wave with human characteristics emerging from a spiral shell. It symbolizes the evolution of the planet and nature’s dominant power.

5. Nostalgia
A work by Ramiz Barquet, installed in 1984, portraying a couple seated in a loving, tender embrace. The sculpture reflects a personal story of the artist and has become a symbol of romance in Puerto Vallarta.

6. Origin and Destination
This piece by Pedro Tello, installed in 2011, consists of five sculptures representing the evolution of humanity: a ship (search for new horizons), a chimera (birth of machines), a whale (a new human era), and an obelisk (human labor over time).

7. Triton and Mermaid
Sculpted by Carlos Espino in 1990, this piece shows a triton and a mermaid in a marine dance. It represents love and the deep connection with the ocean.

Legal Foundations and Protection of Sculptural Heritage

The sculptures along the Malecón are protected under several legal frameworks that safeguard Mexico's cultural heritage:

• Political Constitution of the United Mexican States: Article 4 guarantees the right of all people to access and enjoy cultural heritage.
• Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Zones: This law protects artistic monuments and allows the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL) to officially designate works by recognized artists as artistic monuments.
• Law for the Cultural Heritage of the State of Jalisco: This law declares works of significant cultural value as state heritage, including public sculptures that are part of the urban landscape.

These legal provisions ensure the preservation, maintenance, and promotion of the sculptures on the Malecón, allowing future generations to appreciate and value this artistic legacy.