Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Columbus Monument

Colombus Monument by Ank Kumar – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Columbus Monument

The Christopher Columbus Monument, commonly known as Mirador de Colom or Colon monument, was constructed in 1888 for the Barcelona Universal Exposition to honor the explorer and traveller Christopher Columbus who left Barcelona in search of a new world. Antonin Fages I Ferrer, who spent 16 years attempting but failing to build the monument, had the idea in 1856.

The idea received backing from the city’s mayor in 1872, and a resolution to erect it was later passed in 1881. A second competition was organized for Spanish artists to submit their designs; the winner was the Catalan Gaietà Buigas I Monravà. Public funds sponsored only 12% of the subsequent build; the rest was paid for privately. Discussed below are the top ten outstanding facts about the Columbus Monument. 

1.The Columbus Monument Stands at Sixty Meters

Columbus Monument by Rodhullandemu – Wikimedia Commons

The monument of the greatest explorer, Christopher, is situated at the end of Ramblas, which is very close to the Grand Mariana Hotel, a Eurostar. Here you will experience the magnificent view of both Barcelona and the area around the Marina. You can also explore the city from this point. Today visitors can enjoy the view from the top  of this monument. This is because the memorial stands 60m tall with a 40m Corinthian Column supporting it.

2.You Use An Elevator To Get To The Top Of The Monument

Every day of the week, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the monument is always open to the public. Visitors may enjoy a fantastic view over the waterfront, the Gothic area, and Montjuic from the top of the Observatory Platform. Few people know that the monument features an elevator carrying visitors to the summit.

3.The Finger Of The Statue Is Believed To Be Pointing To America

The Statue aon the monument by Basilio – Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, then referred to as the New World. The pinnacle of his career was this discovery, which has primarily made him a modern-day folk hero. You will see that the Columbus Statue is pointed southeast if you look closely at it. Although it has been discussed, many individuals claim that this portrays Columbus as pointing to America. The city of Constantine, Algeria, would be reached if that arm were extended in a straight line.

4.The Base Of The Monument Tells All Its Stories

While the monument is dedicated to Columbus, it is much more than just the statue at the top. At the bottom of the memorial, you will find eight bronze bas-relief panels and eight coats-of-arms, among other things that will blow your mind. Surprisingly, the panels depict the explorer’s journey to the Americas.

Columbus visited several nations, including Santa Fe, Cuba, Moguer, Huelva, Córdoba, Puerto Rico, Salamanca, and Barcelona. Panels also depict pivotal episodes in Columbus’ life, such as his landing in the New World, his encounter with the King and Queen of Santa Fe, and his meeting with his sponsors, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Córdoba. 

5.The Monument Is A Masterpiece Pedestal Design

Columbus Monument in the evening by Cheburashka007 – Wikimedia Commons

In addition to the panels, there is also the equally stunning octagonal pedestal at the Columbus Monument. It has four buttresses and four bronzed phenes facing the four corners of the globe and shows medallion portraits of Columbus-related individuals. All of these represent an effort to preserve the narrative of one of history’s most famous explorers for future generations. As a mark of respect for Christopher Columbus, only Catalans were permitted to assist in building the monument.

6.The Columbus Monument Took Six Years To Be Constructed

The Christopher Columbus monument was built from the year 1882 to 1888. It took sixteen years for Antoni Fages I Ferrer to persuade the city’s mayor to provide permission for the erection of the monument. His petitions were granted in 1856, and the memorial’s construction was finished twenty years and four years later, in 1888.

7.The Columbus Monument Is A Great Tourist Attraction And Destination

Aerial View of the Columbus Monument by Juliette2020 – Wikimedia Commons

When you get close to Barcelona from nearly any direction, your eyes cannot help but be drawn to this spectacular structure. The monument is in Barcelona, Spain, which is considered a tourist destination.

The famous explorer Christopher Columbus visited Barcelona during his first voyage from America, and the monument was built to honor him. Standing approximately six meters tall, Christopher is memorialized at the very top of this system. The memorial is a symbol of Italian-American pride. 

8.The Monument Has Four Figures That Represent The Four Realms Of Spain

There are four figures in the Columbus Monument that represent the four main realms of Spain, which include: the principality of Catalonia, the Aragon, the kingdom of Leon and the Castile. At the base are seated additional statues; Captain Pedro next to kneeling American native, Luis de Santangel Bessant,  a Mallorcan cartographer, Jaume Ferrer and father Bernet de Boil who was preaching to the kneeling native American.

9.The Monument Is A Magnificent Place To Enjoy A Birds Eye View Of Las Ramblas

The renowned Columbus Monument, which towers over the port area at the base of Las Ramblas, provides a 60-meter-high vantage point from which to observe La Rambla. There is a small elevator inside the tower that will take you to the top of the monument, where there is a viewing platform where you can wander around. You will enjoy Barcelona’s 360-degree, unrestricted bird’s-eye perspective, providing you with unique and fascinating photo opportunities.

10.There Are Various Means Of Transport Available To Get To Columbus Monument

There are various means of transport to the famous Columbus Monument. You can reach there from the center of Barcelona in less than 10 minutes by car. The easiest way to get there is by foot, metro, or bus. The best bus that makes a stopover at the monument is the 59, 89, or the V13. They leave the city every 15 minutes, and it only takes 6 minutes to get there. The monument is accessible in 15 minutes on foot, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery at any time of day.