The Villacastín Town Council has inaugurated a 13-metre-high, 75-tonne granite monolith, located at the roundabout at the entrance from Ávila. This monument honours the stonemasons of the region, whose work has been essential in the construction of iconic landmarks such as the Segovia Aqueduct and the Walls of Ávila.
Aurelio de Grado, manager of PINACAL INSER – an ISMC member – highlighted the technical complexity of the project and its importance in showcasing the impact of sustainable mining on cultural heritage. The idea for this tribute dates back more than 40 years, when the Madrid City Council proposed the construction of a dolmen inspired by Salvador Dalí’s designs. Although the artist supported the initiative, technical challenges prevented its completion. Decades later, the project has been revived as a symbol of the legacy of Villacastín’s stonemasons and their contribution to history.
Mayor Julio César Sánchez announced that the monument will be complemented by a commemorative inscription and an ornamental border, funded by the Municipal Investment Assistance Plan (PAIMP) of the Segovia Provincial Council.
The ISMC cluster values this initiative as a recognition of the work of more than 1,000 historic stonemasons, as well as the significance of granite as a technical and cultural resource that has endured across generations.

