Monument to Columbus, Huelva facts for kids
| Monumento a Colón | |
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| Coordinates | 37°12′44″N 6°56′25″W / 37.21229°N 6.94037°W |
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| Location | Huelva, Spain |
| Designer | Gertrude Whitney |
| Height | 37 m |
| Beginning date | 1927 |
| Completion date | 1929 |
| Opening date | 21 April 1929 |
| Dedicated to | Christopher Columbus |
The Monument to Columbus (also called Monumento a Colón in Spanish) is a famous statue in Huelva, Spain. It is also known as the Monument to the Discovering Faith. This impressive artwork was created by an artist named Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.
The monument stands tall in Huelva, a city in southern Spain. It honors Christopher Columbus, the explorer who sailed to the Americas.
Building the Monument
The idea for the monument came from the United States. Money was raised through a "popular subscription." This means many people donated small amounts of money to help pay for it. The Columbus Memorial Fund Inc. helped collect these donations.
Building the monument took two years. Work began in 1927 and finished in 1929. It was built on a special spot called Punta del Sebo. This is where two rivers, the Tinto and the Odiel, meet.
The monument was officially opened on April 21, 1929. Important people attended the ceremony. These included the Prime Minister of Spain, Miguel Primo de Rivera. The US ambassador, Ogden H. Hammond, was also there.
What the Monument Looks Like
The monument is very tall, standing at 37 meters (about 121 feet). That's taller than a 10-story building! The main figure in the sculpture is a man. He is leaning on a Tau cross, which is a type of cross shaped like the letter 'T'.
Some people have thought the statue represents a friar from La Rábida. However, the artist herself said it was a statue of Christopher Columbus.
The monument is made from strong materials. It has a base structure of mortar. This is a type of cement. On top of this, it is covered with ashlar masonry. This means it has carefully cut stone blocks, which are made from a type of rock called calcarenite.
See also
- In Spanish: Monumento a Colón (Huelva) para niños
- List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus
