Construcción Vacía

About

Construcción Vacía, created by sculptor Jorge Oteiza, is one of San Sebastián’s most striking pieces of public art, offering a quiet yet powerful dialogue between form, space, and the surrounding landscape. Positioned near the Kursaal and facing the open sea, the sculpture embodies Oteiza’s lifelong exploration of emptiness as a creative force. Its geometric structure, carved with deliberate voids, frames fragments of sky, water, and light, changing character throughout the day as shadows shift and waves crash nearby. Though minimalist in appearance, the work carries deep symbolic weight, inviting viewers to contemplate balance, absence, and the relationship between art and environment. Construcción Vacía has become a subtle landmark within the city’s cultural shoreline, complementing the bold architecture around it while offering a moment of reflection amid the coastal energy of San Sebastián.

San Sebastián Spain

Location

Construcción Vacía is located on Paseo Nuevo at the base of Monte Urgull in Donostia–San Sebastián's Old Town area. This abstract steel sculpture by Jorge Oteiza, erected in 2002, commemorates victims of the ship Crucero Baleares and stands prominently along the seaside promenade. Nearby attractions include Monte Urgull's trails and summit fortress with Sacred Heart statue, the Aquarium just steps away, Paseo Nuevo for scenic walks, and the Parte Vieja's pintxo bars, San Telmo Museum, Basilica of Santa María del Coro, and Church of San Vicente all within easy reach.