Monument to Simón Bolívar (Madrid) facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 40°25′56″N 3°43′40″W / 40.432152°N 3.727785°W |
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| Location | Parque del Oeste, Madrid, Spain |
| Designer | Emilio Laíz Campos |
| Material | Bronze, stone |
| Length | 3.90 m |
| Width | 1.90 m |
| Height | 7.50 m |
| Opening date | 28 October 1970 |
| Dedicated to | Simón Bolívar |
The Simón Bolívar monument is a famous statue in Madrid, Spain. It honors Simón Bolívar, a very important leader. He helped several Latin American countries gain their freedom. The monument shows Bolívar riding a horse. It is made of bronze and stands on a stone base.
About the Statue
This statue is a special piece of art in a public park. It was built after many years of planning. People had wanted a monument for Bolívar in Madrid since 1922. However, earlier plans did not work out.
In the 1960s, a new effort began. Carlos Arias Navarro and others helped make it happen. The job was given to a Spanish artist named Emilio Laíz Campos. Countries that Bolívar helped free paid for the monument. These are often called the Bolivarian nations.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue shows Bolívar on his horse. He is raising his right arm. The horse is also lifting its front right leg. The artist used a real horse as a model for the statue. This horse belonged to Ángel Peralta Pineda.
Emilio Laíz Campos made extra copies of the statue. These copies were sent to Colombia and Venezuela. The statue stands on a base of white stone. This stone comes from a place called Colmenar de Oreja. The very bottom part is made of granite. The whole monument is about 7.50 meters tall.
Where to Find It
The monument was first placed in the Parque del Oeste in 1968. It was officially opened on October 28, 1970. Later, it was moved to a new spot within the same park.
When it was moved, three new plaques were added to its base. The plaque on the front has an important message. It reads: "Simón Bolívar — Libertador — de Venezuela — Colombia — Panamá — Ecuador — Perú — Bolivia — 1783-1830". This lists the countries Bolívar helped to liberate.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Simón Bolívar (Madrid) para niños
