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Monument to Columbus

The Monument to Columbus in Salamanca is the work of the Zamoran sculptor Eduardo Barrón González. It stands in the center of the gardens of Plaza de Colón in the city. Unveiled on 9 September 1893, it was created amid celebrations for the fourth centenary of the discovery of America, when several Spanish cities decided to raise commemorative monuments. The sculpture shows the discoverer on a pedestal, holding a globe in his hands and with navigation charts at his feet. The pedestal also includes a medallion with Fray Diego de Deza on one side and an image of Isabella I of Castile on another. His pose, pointing westward, inspired a popular verse.

Monument to Columbus showing a bronze figure in period attire pointing outward on a tall stone pedestal.
The Monument to Columbus in Salamanca, with a weathered bronze figure atop an ornate pedestal.
January 2025 © · CC0
Monument to Columbus: a bronze-toned statue of a man holding a globe and pointing outward on a tall stone pedestal.
The Monument to Columbus stands on an ornate stone pedestal among trees in Salamanca.
January 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Monument to Columbus on a tall stone pedestal surrounded by trees and a circular hedge.
The Monument to Columbus stands on a carved stone pedestal amid a tree-filled park in Salamanca.
August 2013 © · CC BY 2.0
Bronze medallion of Isabel la Católica mounted on the Monument to Columbus in Salamanca.
Bronze portrait medallion of Isabel la Católica on the Monument to Columbus in Salamanca.
May 2019 © · CC BY 4.0
Close-up of Eduardo Barrón’s signature on the Monument to Columbus.
The signature of sculptor Eduardo Barrón on the Monument to Columbus in Salamanca.
January 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMonument to Christopher Columbus
TypeCommemorative monument

Historical context

PurposeCommemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas
Commissioning contextPart of initiatives in Spain to erect commemorative monuments for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America

Creator

ArtistEduardo Barrón González
Artist originZamora-born Spanish sculptor
SubjectChristopher Columbus
Figure representedChristopher Columbus

Discovery and provenance

Construction started1892
Unveiling date9 September 1893

Location and ownership

Naming effectAfter the monument was installed, Plaza de los Menores became known as Plaza de Colón
Original locationPlaza de los Menores, later renamed Plaza de Colón, Salamanca, Spain
Location countrySpain
Current locationCenter of the gardens of Plaza de Colón, Salamanca, Spain

Physical characteristics

Statue height3.30 metres

Materials

Statue materialBronze
Pedestal materialStone

Appearance

DepictionColumbus stands on a pedestal holding a globe, with navigation charts at his feet
PoseHe is shown pointing west with his finger
Pedestal decorationTwo side reliefs with the busts of Fray Diego de Deza and Isabella I of Castile
Pedestal inscriptionTo Christopher Columbus in the 400th anniversary of the Discovery of the Americas. The State, the province and the municipality

Significance

Popular receptionHis pointing pose generated a popular couplet