Monumento al Ovejero (Monument to the Shepherd), Punta Arenas

The Monument to the Shepherd (Monumento al Ovejero) is a striking tribute to the rugged life and enduring spirit of Patagonia’s rural laborers. This expansive bronze sculpture, stretching about 30 meters, vividly portrays a shepherd enduring the harsh Patagonian wind while guiding his flock across the open plains. With a whip in one hand and the reins of his horse in the other, the shepherd is accompanied by two loyal sheepdogs and eight sheep, forming a powerful and poetic scene. The monument honors the men and animals who played a vital role in shaping the livestock economy that drove the region's prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Originally sculpted in granite and inaugurated in 1944, the piece was created by artist Germán Montero at the behest of General Ramón Cañas Montalva and donated by Francisco Campos Torreblanca. The initial unveiling was a grand event, attended by President Juan Antonio Ríos and regional dignitaries. However, due to the granite's vulnerability to the Patagonian climate, a more durable bronze version was installed in 1962. The original granite version was gifted to the city of Coyhaique, where it still stands today. Montero’s work was inspired by a poem by local poet José Grimaldi Acotto, as well as by real-life shepherd Abel Oyarzún, who modeled with his horse and dogs for the sculptor.

Located near the city’s renowned municipal cemetery, the Monument to the Shepherd is one of Punta Arenas’ most iconic landmarks. It offers not only a powerful glimpse into the region’s pastoral heritage but also a moment of reflection on the human and animal resilience that tamed the southern pampas.