The brothers García Naveira, Juan and Jesús were born in Betanzos in the mid-19th century. When they were young they emigrated to Argentina where they made a huge fortune. They returned to their home town and started a great construction work for charity. To them we owe: the Schools and Asylum, the School for handicapped girls, the Free Public Laundry, the San Miguel Hospital, the Jesús García Naveira Schools, the Casa del Pueblo and the Parque del Pasatiempo.
Did you know that the Statue was originally located in the Parque del Pasatiempo and formed a complex with the Statue of Charity? Between the two they have a telephone conversation in which the Charity requests asylum for an elderly person and the brothers indicate that they have a place in the asylum.
The Pastime Park is the work of Don Juan García Naveira. It was started in 1893 and is the only example of an encyclopaedic park in existence. Originally it occupied 90 thousand square meters full of gardens, ponds, fountains and statues. A unique place that has been declared a BIC.