Gulliver Park: The Seventy-Meter Reclining Giant

Why is it significant?

Step into the sandy clearing of Section Twelve and marvel at the colossal, seventy-meter figure of a recumbent eighteenth-century gentleman pinned to the ground by thick mooring cables.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step into the sandy clearing of Section Twelve and marvel at the colossal, seventy-meter figure of a recumbent eighteenth-century gentleman pinned to the ground by thick mooring cables. This extraordinary piece of interactive civic art was opened in December 1990 through an inspired collaboration between architect Rafael Rivera, master Fallas artisan Manolo Martín, and graphic designer Sento Llobell. Taking direct inspiration from Jonathan Swift's immortal 1726 satire Gulliver's Travels, the sculpture recreates the memorable moment when shipwrecked doctor Lemuel Gulliver awakes washed ashore in Lilliput, held captive by tiny inhabitants.

Here, every visitor becomes a miniature Lilliputian explorer. Children and adults alike scale the folds of Gulliver's coat, climb towering hemp ladders, and race down hair-raising slides hidden within the locks of his flowing hair, sleeves, and buckled shoes. The entire surface is sculpted from smooth, fiberglass-reinforced polyester resin coated in resilient anti-slip enamel, engineered without sharp corners so that adventurous climbers can slide and scramble safely across the giant's torso.

The hollow interior of the sculpture encloses service chambers, ventilation systems, and municipal youth activity workshops. Following a comprehensive eighteen-month restoration completed in late 2022, Gulliver's hand-painted polychrome finish was completely refreshed using durable polyurethane marine enamels, restoring his iconic blue jacket, yellow waistcoat, silver buttons, and dark leather boots to brilliant storybook vibrancy.

Gaze up into the giant's sculpted face: his wide, bewildered glass-coated eyes and half-parted lips capture a whimsical look of humorous shock and mild resignation as hundreds of energetic children scurry relentlessly across his shoulders, tugging playfully at his cravat and sliding fearlessly down his ears.

Climb out of the sandy playground basin toward the upper perimeter esplanade and make your way along the avenue to the classical stone parapets of the Guardian Angel Bridge.