Estripagecs de Pere Moles (El Serrat)

This Estripagecs sculpture by Andorran artist Pere Moles stands on the Camí Ral in El Serrat, where it forms part of Ordino’s Riberamunt corridor. The work takes the traditional iron window bar known as an estripagecs and turns it into a large, abstract outdoor monument. A red-toned iron silhouette is framed within a heavy beam, creating a contemporary landmark along the historic route through the valley. Its setting connects village paths, river landscape and local architectural memory in a way that is easy to encounter during a walk.

The word estripagecs comes from Catalan: estripar means to tear, while gecs refers to jackets or coats. These bars were fixed across the windows of traditional Andorran and Pyrenean houses to make it difficult for intruders to climb inside. Their irregular side spikes could catch and tear clothing, combining a practical defensive purpose with a distinctive visual shape. The device has become a symbol of Ordino’s built heritage. Moles uses that familiar form as the starting point for an artwork that preserves the memory of the old window fittings while changing their scale and function.

The El Serrat piece is a single sculpture, not the more famous five-part ensemble near the botanical garden in Sorteny. Local reporting on its permanent installation in July 2021 describes a monochrome red iron work incorporating the cut-out silhouette of an estripagecs within a beam approximately three metres high and weighing about one tonne. The Comú d’Ordino acquired it for the Riberamunt tourism corridor, extending the valley’s public-art story north toward El Serrat. Its bold outline makes it a useful visual pause along the path, while the material recalls the ironworking history and traditional architecture of the parish.

Riberamunt follows the Camí Ral and the river through the villages of the Ordino valley, from Ordino toward El Serrat, and connects with the Sorteny Natural Park and Arcalís area. The Camí Ral was a historic route between settlements; the modern corridor encourages visitors to discover the villages and landscape on foot. The Comú describes Riberamunt as an easy walking itinerary, though conditions, surfaces and gradients vary by section. This sculpture can be visited as a short stop on the El Serrat stretch or combined with a longer walk linking several villages.

Plan the route rather than treating the artwork as a roadside pull-off. The sculpture is placed along the Camí Ral, not necessarily beside a parking space, and the exact walking distance depends on where you begin. El Serrat sits at the upper end of the inhabited Ordino valley, so visitors arriving by car should park legally in the village or use an appropriate trail access point. The parish’s bus service can help connect parts of the route; current stops and schedules should be checked before relying on public transport. Walking one way and returning by bus may be practical on some dates, but no particular service frequency is guaranteed here.

The sculpture has no ticket booth or staffed opening schedule. It is an outdoor artwork on a public walking corridor, so access depends on the path being open and safe. Nearby sites such as Sorteny Park, the Llorts Mine and museums have their own access conditions, services and opening hours. A visit to this Estripagecs does not include entry to those attractions. If you plan a longer day, check each destination separately and allow enough time to walk between village sections.

Wear comfortable footwear suitable for mixed path surfaces. The route follows a mountain valley, and rain, snow or frost can leave the ground slippery. In summer, bring water and sun protection; on cooler days, a layer is useful even if the village starts out mild. Keep to the marked path and take care near the river or road crossings. Families can use the sculpture to talk about how people once protected their homes and how an everyday object can become a public artwork. Children should not climb on the beam or attempt to put hands through any narrow openings.

The red iron form also connects this work with Ordino’s broader identity as a place where history and contemporary art share the landscape. Pere Moles has developed related Estripagecs works in different settings, including a large five-totem ensemble in Sorteny and smaller iron forms placed on mountain peaks. These projects reference the same architectural object but are not the same installation. This individual sculpture on the Camí Ral is a distinct artwork commissioned for Riberamunt. Its placement along a route gives it a more village-scale role than the high-mountain versions.

Visitors can appreciate the piece without specialist art knowledge. Notice the contrast between the recognizable spiked-bar silhouette and the simple supporting beam, then consider how a tool once designed to keep people out has become a shared public symbol. The title is rooted in local language and material culture, while the red iron surface stands out against the greenery and stonework of the valley. Its effect changes with light and season, so it rewards a brief pause rather than just a hurried photograph.

The El Serrat Estripagecs is a compact cultural stop with a clear relationship to the place around it. Walk the Camí Ral, look for the sculpture on the village section, and continue toward the river or other Riberamunt points if conditions allow. Confirm your return transport, bring water and treat the artwork as part of a shared public path. There are no fixed daily hours for the sculpture; route access and weather are the practical factors that determine when to visit.