Monument to the Discoverers facts for kids
| Monumento a los Descubridores | |
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| Coordinates | 37°12′28″N 6°55′26″W / 37.207688°N 6.92394°W |
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| Location | La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera, Spain |
| Designer | Ricardo Velázquez Bosco |
| Material | Limestone, concrete, steel |
| Height | 54.90 m |
| Opening date | 12 October 1892 |
| Dedicated to | The explorers of the Americas |
The Monument to the Discoverers, also known as the 400th Anniversary Column, is a tall and impressive monument in Palos de la Frontera, Spain. In Spanish, it's called Monumento a los descubridores or Columna del IV Centenario. This monument honors the brave explorers who sailed to the Americas many centuries ago.
History of the Monument
In 1892, a group called the Provincial Deputation of Huelva decided to build a special monument. They asked an architect named Ricardo Velázquez Bosco to design it. The monument was meant to honor Christopher Columbus and other explorers of the Americas. It was built on land near La Rábida, which used to belong to a noble family called the House of Alba.
The monument was officially opened on October 12, 1892. This date was chosen because it marked 400 years since Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas.
Original Design and Changes
The first design for the monument was a hexagonal (six-sided) base. On top of this base was a tall column. At the very top of the column, there was supposed to be a globe representing the Earth.
Over the years, the monument needed repairs. From 1963 to 1967, an architect named Luis Martínez Feduchi worked on it. During this time, the monument was changed quite a bit from its original look.
By the early 2000s, the monument was in poor condition. In 2008, it was declared a bien de interés cultural. This means it's a very important cultural landmark that needs to be protected.
Recent Restoration
In the 2010s, the monument went through another big restoration. The goal was to make it stronger by adding a core of reinforced concrete. This restoration also aimed to bring back some parts of the original design. For example, the Earth globe and a crown were added back to the top.
The work finished in 2014. The monument now stands 54.90 meters (about 180 feet) tall, including the newly added parts. It was officially reopened on July 31, 2014.
During the restoration, something interesting was found in 2011. Three sculpted heads of Native Americans were discovered buried. These heads were part of the monument's original design. They are believed to represent the Aztec, Maya, and Taíno civilizations.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a los Descubridores para niños
