I took this photograph of the charming El Vendimiador several years ago when it was situated in the main square, Plaza Almijara in the village of Cómpeta.
The statue commemorates centuries of wine-making in the area and shows the grape-picker standing in his sandals on a dry-stone wall. On his head he carries a basket of freshly-picked grapes and by his side, his young daughter helps with the harvest.
Despite being sited in the main square, next to the 500 year old Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción village church only eight years ago, the statue disappeared a few years later. I suppose this was to make more room for vehicles to turn around in the tiny square, already half full of tables, chairs and sunshades from the nearby cafes and restaurants.
No-one seemed to know what had happened to the statue and some even suggested it had been damaged during the move.
Fortunately El Vendimiador re-appeared earlier this year at the new Mirador in Competa’s Plaza Vendimia (where he really should have been all along), except now he stands alone, without his daughter.
Curiouser and curiouser …….!
Looking down on El Vendimiador from the Church tower
This post is my response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge: Companionable and to Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Sculpture
You might also enjoy:
Competa´s Noche del vino: Night of wine
The heart of Cómpeta: El Paseo de las Tradiciones
The Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life
East of Málaga 
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A conspiracy methinks
Still trying to get to the bottom of it, Gilly. Chased it up twice – now waiting for the town hall to get back to me!
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Strange story – the sculpture was created by a local sculptor Jose Antonio Rivas Fernández – maybe someone there know something about the missing girl…?
I am trying to find out what happened to her …. when I find out any information I’ll post an update.
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That is very curious, Marianne. I do hope she finds her way back to her dad. 🙂
So do I, Sylvia. I’ll let you know if I find her.
It is curious, and as a daughter, a little bit sad that the little girl is somewhere without her dad! Maybe someone thought she looked better in their garden… People have been known to relocate garden gnomes, so maybe daughter statues as well.
That’s true – I hope not 😦
Such a shame. I hope she does turn up. He needs his little girl and wouldn’t look quite right without her.
I agree with you, John.
Hmmm, what a mystery. Maybe she was damaged in transit?
Sadly, I think that’s the answer, Ruth.
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I feel I should ‘like’ it twice since it’s two rolled into one.
What beautiful statues Marianne! I wonder what happened to her? Great shots! 😀 *hugs*
Thanks Sophia 🙂
She looks a bit cross to me. Maybe she’d just had enough of hanging about.
Photo challenge tomorrow, Marianne. Give us a clue? 🙂
Yeah – maybe she’s just gone off to play with the other children of the village.
Tomorrow’s CBBH Photo Challenge ….. I spy!!
Ooh, that’s different. Look forward to seeing it. 🙂
…I spy with a twist 🙂
I wonder where they went? A thief? Into the backyard of a civil engineer.. Sad! They were lovely!
At least the larger of the two statues has reappeared. It’s just the little girl I’m worried about!
I would do but I bet she does not reappear : (
Me neither 😦
Lovely statues. The girl will come back soon, they almost always do!
Thanks Andrew, I’ll do a bit more detective work and try to track her down.
I hope you do – I like all of those statues in Spanish towns and villages!
I do love a good mystery!!!
You know what the first thought was that shot through my head when I saw those statues on your pic? That they were made out of chocolate! Jeeeezzz, I do have a one track mind!
Chocolate in this heat!?? Hmmm …. one track mind? But how about chocolate CAKES? 🙂
I had that thought BEFORE the reason chip kicked in (that happens an awful lot to me, actually)
You know… I love chocolate and I love cakes, but chocolate cake is not my favourite. I wouldn’t kick it off a plate, mind.
Ah poor little girl. Hope she’s found a home in someone’s garden (wish it were mine!)
Me too, Tanya 🙂
Thanks for commenting – it’s always much appreciated.
I want to come and see those statues. Even one would do. I also love the deep green of the door frames against the white walls. Drool.
Well, let me know when you are coming, Trish, and I’ll happily show you around 🙂
Ok. I have the inexplicable habit of going to France every 3 years. So I’ll see you in 3 years.
Excellent – I’ll pencil you in!
Great shots! I wonder if the little girl will turn up somewhere in the future? or maybe she just grew up & left home 🙂
Hahaha ….I wonder! 🙂
May I remind you that this is SPAIN… she won’t be leaving home until she’s 35…
Hahaha – I think 35 is in the UK. Isn’t it over 40 here? 😛
For men it’s 45 in Spain 😉