Christopher Columbus’ voyages to the Americas not only introduced Spain to the New World, they also helped the Spaniards to colonize the new continent. To honour the famous explorer, the Columbus Monument was constructed in Barcelona in the 19th century.

The monument, built for the first world fair held in Spain, is currently one of the prominent attractions of the city. Situated at the middle of the Place de la Porta de Pau, an attractive public square at the lower end of La Rambla, Columbus Monument attracts visitors to Barcelona to view the city from a viewing platform more than 40 m above the ground.

Features of Columbus Monument

Monumento a Colon, commonly known as Columbus Monument, was created to display the splendour of modern Catalan architecture. With the design of the monument conceived by the Catalan architect Gaieta Buigas I Monarva and the bronze statue of Columbus sculpted by the Catalan sculptor Rafael Atche, the entire monument was created by Catalans with materials sourced from Catalonia.

The 60m tall Columbus Monument comprises of a 7.2 m tall bronze statue of Christopher Columbus perched on top of a cast iron column with an intricately decorated stone pedestal. The bronze statue of Columbus crowning the monument shows the great explorer pointing towards the sea. However, some people claim that the statue points towards the New Worlds, whereas others believe that the statue actually points in the direction of Genoa in Italy, where the explorer was born.

The octagonal pedestal supporting the Corinthian column is decorated with allegorical and historic figures. Catalonia, Castile, Leon and Argon are represented in the form of four seated figures positioned against the buttress with statues of griffins and winged Phemes above them. Eight portrait medallions of important people associated with the voyages of Columbus adorn the buttresses around the pedestal. Statues of Father Bernat de Boil, Captain Pedro Bertran i de Margarit, Jaume Ferrer de Blanes and Luis de Santangel Bessant stand at the foot of the pedestal. The plinth is intricately decorated with bronze brass relief panels, depicting important scenes related to Columbus’ first voyage to the New World, and coats-of-arms representing the important places visited by the explorer. At the base of the monument, there are gorgeous statues of lions. A lift carries visitors through the hollow column to a viewing platform on the top.

Columbus Monument is open to visitors from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM throughout the week, except during public holidays.


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