Who were "As dúas en punto"?

The capital of Galicia is one of the favourite destinations for many tourists when it comes to deciding on a holiday destination in Galicia. As well as being one of the most important religious destinations in the world, and even more so now with the celebration of Xacobeo, it is also a cultural, artistic and historical hotbed. Compostela has been the protagonist and witness of innumerable events, some of which will go down in the collective memory as was the life of As dúas Marías: Maruxa and Coralia Fandiño Ricart.

Daughters of a shoemaker and a seamstress from Santiago de Compostela at the beginning of the 20th century, Arturo Fandiño and Consuelo Ricart, Maruxa and Coralia were the fourth and twelfth sister of a family of thirteen children. 

Several of their siblings were active militants of the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), which led to their persecution, exile and even death. When it was impossible to execute some of his brothers, the regime's police persecuted the women of the family. This would have had psychological consequences that would lead to the peculiar behaviour of the sisters. 

The three sisters: liberty, equality and fraternity

Maruxa and Coralia enjoyed their walks in the most popular green area of Santiago. Every day, at two o'clock sharp (hence, they were also known as "As dúas en punto"-The two o'clock), they went out to walk along the Alameda. Although they did not go out alone, they were accompanied by their sister Sarita (although she would die young). 

They had a bizarre appearance. They didn't just leave the house wearing any clothes, but made their own outfits, with colourful, bright and striking fabrics. Perhaps because of their particular aesthetics and a somewhat carefree attitude (they even dared to flatter the students of the time!), they became known to everyone. In fact, the Galician students had nicknamed them "liberty, equality and fraternity", while the right-wingers called them "faith, hope and charity".

The most famous sculpture in Santiago de Compostela

To honour and remember the figures of Maruxa and Coralia and, in turn, all those who suffered reprisals during Franco's regime, in 1994 the sculpture was installed, which today continues to crown and welcome tourists who come to the city's Alameda. 

The piece was the work of César Lombera, who made a realistic and polychrome reproduction of one of the most recognised photographs of the two women walking in the same place: Maruxa, on the right and with her arm outstretched, and Coralia, holding an umbrella. 

Although the figure of the two sisters is usually surrounded by a certain aura of celebration and a casual tone, Maruxa and Coralia are still a reflection of the harsh oppression that many families suffered during the years of the regime. This is what the plaque at the foot of the sculpture says: "irmás dunha familia numerosa anarco-sindicalista de Santiago. Victims in 1936 and during Franco's dictatorship".