Columbus Monument
The Columbus Monument is recognized as a masterpiece of world monumental architectural art. In 1881, in Barcelona, on the Portal de la Pau square - the "Gateway of the World", near the Rambla, the first stone was solemnly laid for the pedestal of the monument to the navigator Christopher Columbus. Construction of the monument lasted 7 years. By the opening of the international exhibition held in Barcelona in 1888, work on the installation of the monument was completed.
History
The huge monument to Columbus, 7 meters high, stands on a 52-meter column and is visible from all points of Barcelona. The total weight of the structure is 623 tons. The idea to immortalize the famous traveler who discovered America appeared back in 1856. After all, it was in the port of Barcelona in 1493 that ships arrived after the legendary journey. Here Columbus informed the ruling royal couple about the discovery of the New World.
In 1872, the mayor of the city supported the plan. Finally, in 1881, it was decided to hold a competition among only Spanish artists in order to entrust the best with the work on the monument to Columbus. Catalans jealously consider Columbus their fellow countryman, despite the fact that he was born in Genoa, Italy and lived in Portugal for 9 years.
The architect G. Buigas i Monraba won the competition. The author of the bronze sculpture of Columbus was R. Atche. The cast iron bas-reliefs on the pedestal are the work of sculptor A. Wolmegut.
Description
To make the grandiose monument to Columbus, Madrid allowed the bronze cannons that stood in the fortress on the Montjuic hill to be recast. The monument is based on a circle, the diameter of which is 20 m. It is adjoined on 4 sides by 6-meter stepped approaches, decorated on the sides with figures of lions. Numerous tourists from all over the world love to take pictures near the lions.
The 8-carbon pedestal is decorated with 4 bronze sculptures of winged goddesses of victory and glory, who are ready to fly to all 4 cardinal directions. At the feet of the goddesses there are griffins, symbolizing the bows of ships. Near the ledges of the pedestal there are 4 female statues, symbolizing Catalonia, Aragon, Castile and Leon - the 4 main parts of Spain. The statues hold symbols of power in their hands - a scepter and a crown.
There are 8 medallions on the pedestal, each of which depicts the faces of people who influenced the fate of Columbus. One of them depicts King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcoming the navigator. The plinth of the pedestal is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs with scenes from Columbus's journey and the coats of arms of the provinces visited by the traveler.
A huge metal Corinthian column rises above the majestic pedestal. Just like the pedestal, it is hollow inside. This made it possible in 1889 to install an elevator in the hollow space to reach the observation deck. A bird's eye view offers a magnificent view of the city.
Details
Sometimes the elevator gets stuck, which causes a lot of trouble in getting out the people in it. The first breakdown occurred just during the first ascent, and the mayor got stuck in the elevator.
The column is crowned with a statue of a brave navigator. The word "Earth" is written on the base. The index finger of Columbus's right hand is pointing east. There are many versions of where he points. Some people believe that towards America is a new discovery; some are sure that in the direction of Genoa, where Columbus was born; some are convinced that the finger simply points into the distance, where new discoveries await. In the left hand of the bronze statue lies a navigation map.
In 2013, for the start of the playing season, the Catalan football club, together with Nike, dressed the statue in a blue garnet T-shirt - the club's new uniform. The act caused a storm of indignation, but the company paid a decent amount to the city budget for this “disguise”, and the monument to Columbus again reminded of itself.
