Monument to Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Madrid) facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 40°26′17″N 3°43′17″W / 40.438051°N 3.721261°W |
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| Location | Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain |
| Designer | Enrique Pérez Comendador |
| Material | Bronze |
| Opening date | 2 October 1954 |
| Dedicated to | Vasco Núñez de Balboa |
The Statue of Vasco Núñez de Balboa is a famous sculpture in Madrid, Spain. You can find it in the Ciudad Universitaria, right next to the Museum of the Americas. This statue is made of bronze and shows Vasco Núñez de Balboa. He was a Spanish explorer known for crossing the Isthmus of Panama. He was also the first European to see the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
About the Statue
This statue shows Vasco Núñez de Balboa in a special way. He is standing with his arms stretched out, both forward and backward. This pose makes him look like he is about to step into the sea. The sculptor, Enrique Pérez Comendador, was inspired by ancient Greek statues.
The statue is about 2.50 meters (8.2 feet) tall. It is made from bronze, a strong metal.
What the Statue Means
The artist, Enrique Pérez Comendador, explained what the statue represents. He said it shows Balboa at a very important moment. This is when Balboa, after discovering the Pacific Ocean, proudly steps into the sea. He holds his sword high and claims the ocean for the King of Spain. He looks out at the horizon, amazed by the huge Pacific Ocean.
History of the Statue
The idea for this statue started in 1952. It came from a meeting called the 6th Congress of the Postal Union of the Americas and Spain. Many government departments in Spain supported the idea.
The statue was part of a bigger plan by the Spanish government at the time. They wanted to build many memorials in Madrid. These memorials honored important figures from Spanish and Latin American history. This plan also included statues for people like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.
The job of creating the statue was given to Enrique Pérez Comendador. He is a well-known sculptor. The statue was officially revealed on October 2, 1954. It has been in the Ciudad Universitaria ever since.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Madrid) para niños
