Equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Simón Bolívar |
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| Artist | Felix de Weldon |
| Year | 1959 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 820 cm × 240 cm × 530 cm (324 in × 96 in × 208 in) |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| 38°53′35.2″N 77°2′31.2″W / 38.893111°N 77.042000°W | |
| Owner | National Park Service |
This impressive statue in Washington, D.C. shows Simón Bolívar riding a horse. It's called an equestrian statue. Simón Bolívar was a very important military and political leader from Venezuela. He helped many South American countries gain their freedom. The statue was created by an American artist named Felix de Weldon. You can find it near the United States Department of the Interior building.
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About the Simón Bolívar Statue
This statue is a tribute to Simón Bolívar, often called "The Liberator." He led several countries to independence from Spanish rule. The statue is made of bronze. It stands tall in Washington, D.C., reminding everyone of his important role in history.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue shows Bolívar on his horse. His right arm is raised high. In his hand, he holds his sword pointing upwards. He wears a detailed military uniform. This uniform even includes a gold medal that once belonged to George Washington.
The statue sits on a large base. This base is made of either granite or marble. It weighs about 8 tons!
Words on the Base
The front of the statue's base has these words:
- SIMON BOLIVAR
- THE LIBERATOR
- BORN JULY 24 1783
- CARACAS VENEZUELA
- DIED DECEMBER 17 1830
- SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA
The east side of the base says:
- THE REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The west side of the base lists the countries Bolívar helped free:
- LIBERATED VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA AND PANAMA
How the Statue Came to Be
The idea for this statue was approved by the United States Congress on July 5, 1949. Permission to place it on public land was given on June 29, 1955. The government of Venezuela gave the statue as a gift. They also paid for it to be put in place.
Moving the Statue
The statue was made in New York. To get it to Washington, D.C., parts of it had to be taken apart. The head, neck, and the rider were separated. This was done so the large pieces could fit under highway overpasses during transport.
Statue's Condition
Experts checked the statue in June 1993. They found that the sculpture was "well maintained." This means it was in good shape and well cared for.
See also
In Spanish: Estatua ecuestre de Simón Bolívar para niños
