Guerrero Chimalli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guerrero Chimalli |
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The sculpture in 2016
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| Artist | Sebastián |
| Year | 2014 |
| Medium | Steel |
| Dimensions | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Weight | 870 t (860 long tons; 960 short tons) |
| Location | Chimalhuacán |
| 19°24′47″N 98°59′02″W / 19.41306°N 98.98389°W | |
| Website | experiencia.edomex.gob.mx |
Guerrero Chimalli (which means "Shield Warrior" in English) is a giant outdoor sculpture in Chimalhuacán, Mexico. It was created by a famous artist named Enrique "Sebastián" Carbajal. This amazing artwork is made of steel and shows an Indigenous warrior. The warrior holds a Chīmalli (a type of shield) and a mace (a heavy club-like weapon).
The sculpture is about 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) tall. It even has a special viewing platform inside one of its arms! The base of the sculpture also serves as a museum. If you don't count their bases, Guerrero Chimalli is a little taller than the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
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Meet the Giant Warrior Sculpture
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The Guerrero Chimalli sculpture is a bright red Aztec warrior. It stands 50 meters tall on its own. The warrior proudly holds a Chīmalli (a traditional shield) and a mace. This impressive artwork was designed by the artist Enrique "Sebastián" Carbajal.
The sculpture itself weighs around 600 tons. It sits on a strong concrete base, called a plinth, which is 10 meters high. This base, along with 65 deep piles that support everything, makes the total height 60 meters. The entire structure weighs about 870 tons! Because it is so tall and its color is so vibrant, you can see the sculpture from many places in Chimalhuacán and nearby areas.
Building the Warrior
Work on the Guerrero Chimalli sculpture began between 2009 and 2012. It is made from 33 pieces of steel that were welded together. These pieces were then painted with a special red polyurethane paint. This type of paint helps protect the sculpture and gives it its striking color.
The artwork cost about $2.4 million to create. The government also improved the area around the sculpture. They added a fountain, bridges, and trees to the median strip where it stands. These extra improvements cost another $1.4 million.
A Symbol of History
The Guerrero Chimalli sculpture was officially opened on December 13, 2014. It was dedicated to the Tenochcas. These were the brave warriors who defended Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, during a historic battle.
One of the coolest features of the sculpture is its observation deck. This viewing platform is located inside one of the warrior's arms. It is 40 meters long and 2.4 meters high. You can reach it by climbing 250 steps or by taking an elevator from the base.
Sebastián, the artist, described his work as "an exceptional, attractive and emotional colossus." He hoped it would "promote the spirit" and help people understand their history. He also wanted it to encourage society to move forward with a modern and global mindset.
More Giant Art
- Coyote en Ayuno is another large sculpture by Sebastián. You can find it in the nearby town of Nezahualcóyotl.
- You might also be interested in the List of the tallest statues in Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Guerrero Chimalli para niños
