Monument to Columbus (Valladolid) facts for kids
| Monumento a Colón | |
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| Coordinates | 40°24′57″N 3°41′47″W / 40.415751°N 3.696474°W |
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| Location | Plaza de Colón, Valladolid, Spain |
| Designer | Antonio Susillo |
| Material | Bronze, stone, concrete |
| Height | 16.40 m |
| Opening date | 14 September 1905 |
| Dedicated to | Christopher Columbus |
The Monument to Columbus (in Spanish: Monumento a Colón) is a famous statue in Valladolid, Spain. You can find it in the middle of the Columbus Square. This square is in the southeastern part of the Campo Grande park. The monument honors Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer.
Contents
History of the Monument
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This monument was planned to celebrate a big event. It marked 400 years since Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas. The design for the monument was created by Antonio Susillo, who passed away in 1896.
The Spanish Government ordered the monument. Its bronze parts were made in Paris at a special place called Thiébaut Frères' foundry. The statue was first meant to be put up in Havana, Cuba. But Cuba became independent from Spain, so those plans changed.
The bronze pieces stayed in Paris, and the stone parts were kept in Pontevedra, Spain. Many Spanish cities wanted the monument. These included Seville and Madrid. But Valladolid was chosen because it was where Columbus died. The Spanish government decided this in 1901.
The base of the monument, made of concrete, was built in 1903. A company called Compañía anónima de Hormigón armado de Sestao did this work. The whole monument was officially shown to the public on September 14, 1905.
What the Monument Looks Like
The Monument to Columbus is very tall and detailed. It stands 16.40 meters (about 54 feet) high and weighs 7,000 kilograms (about 15,400 pounds).
The Base and Pedestal
The base of the monument has four bronze pictures. These pictures show important moments in Columbus's life.
- One shows Columbus meeting some friars.
- Another shows him leaving the port of Palos.
- A third picture shows his arrival in the Americas.
- The last one shows him being welcomed by the Catholic Monarchs in Barcelona.
At the four corners of the monument's base, there are four seated statues. These statues represent important ideas: Study, History, Nautics (which means sailing), and Value (meaning bravery).
Middle Part and Top
Above the base, there is a pyramid shape. On this part, you can see a medallion with the faces of the Catholic Monarchs. There is also a royal coat of arms with the Eagle of Saint John. You can also see an image of the Virgin Mary and a lion with a crown.
At the very top, there is a white stone Earth globe. This globe is from the quarries of Ibeas. A bronze ribbon wraps around the globe. It has the words non plus ultra written on it. This Latin phrase means "nothing further beyond." A lion from below scratches the letter 'n' from this phrase.
Above the globe, there are two figures. One is a kneeling figure of Columbus himself. The other is a female figure representing Faith. She is wearing a cloak and veil and holds a cross and a chalice.
Recent Events
On October 12, 2019, the monument was covered in red paint. It also had graffiti that said: españolismo es fascismo. This means "Spanish nationalism is Fascism." A youth group called 'Yesca' said they were responsible for this act.
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One of the bronze pictures on the base
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A close-up of the coat of arms
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The statues of Columbus and Faith at the top
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See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Colón (Valladolid) para niños
- List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus
