Monument to the Constitution of 1812 facts for kids
| Monumento a la Constitución de 1812 | |
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| Coordinates | 36°32′6″N 6°17′35″W / 36.53500°N 6.29306°W |
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| Location | Cádiz, Spain |
| Beginning date | 1912 |
| Completion date | 1929 |
The Monument to the Constitution of 1812 is a famous monument in Cádiz, Spain. It was built to remember a very important event: the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of 1812. This special monument was started in 1912 and finished in 1929. You can find it right in the middle of the Plaza de España in Cádiz.
Contents
What is the Constitution of 1812?
A constitution is like a rulebook for a country. It sets out how the government works and what rights citizens have. The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was very important because it was one of Spain's first modern constitutions.
This constitution was used for a short time, from 1812 to 1814, and then again from 1820 to 1823. Even though it wasn't in effect for long, it had a big impact. It helped spread ideas of freedom and national pride not just in Spain, but also across Europe and the Americas.
The constitution was created by a group called the Cortes of Cádiz. This was a special meeting of leaders. At that time, Cádiz was one of the few Spanish cities still free during a big conflict called the Peninsular War. This war was when Spain fought against invaders.
How the Monument Was Built
The Spanish government decided to build this monument in 1912. They wanted to celebrate 100 years since the Constitution of 1812 was signed. They also wanted to honor the Cortes of Cádiz, the group that wrote it.
The monument was designed by Modesto López Otero. The beautiful sculptures were created by Aniceto Marinas. It took many years to build, finally being completed in 1929.
What the Monument Looks Like
The monument has two main levels. The lower part looks like a room with an empty chair, which might represent where important decisions were made.
The upper part has special words carved into it. On each side, there are bronze statues. These statues represent important ideas like peace and war.
In the very center, a tall pillar rises up. This pillar is a symbol of the main ideas and rules found in the 1812 constitution. At the bottom of this pillar, there is a female figure. She represents Spain itself. On either side of her, there are sculptures showing important parts of life, like farming (agriculture) and being a good citizen.
Other Monuments Like This One
Many other monuments were built around the world to honor the Constitution of 1812. These were mostly in Spanish-speaking countries. However, many of them were later destroyed when governments changed.
But some of these monuments still exist today! Here are a few examples:
- Plaza de la Constitución, in Mexico City, Mexico;
- Constitution Square, in Montevideo, Uruguay;
- Monument to the Constitution of 1812, in Comayagua, Honduras; and
- Constitution of 1812 Monument, in St. Augustine, Florida, United States.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a la Constitución de 1812 para niños
