Landmark
Columbus Monument, Barcelona
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The Columbus Monument is a 60-meter-tall memorial to Christopher Columbus at the lower end of La Rambla. It was built for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition and marks where Columbus reported to the Spanish monarchs after his first voyage.
Don't miss
- A 7.2-meter bronze statue of Columbus atop a 40-meter Corinthian column, sculpted by Rafael Atché.
- The statue points south-southeast toward the sea, not toward Genoa; the word 'Tierra' (land) is inscribed on the socle.
- Four bronze winged victories (Phemes) take flight from the octagonal pedestal, above paired griffins.
- Eight bronze bas-relief panels on the plinth depict scenes from Columbus's first voyage, including his departure from Palos and arrival in the New World.
- Four seated figures at the base represent the realms of Catalonia, León, Aragon, and Castile.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Columbus Monument, Barcelona
You can see Columbus Monument, Barcelona on your own. A tour is worth it for the story behind it, for transport, or for combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inColumbus Monument Lookout: Scenic Ramblas, Sea and Montjuïc Views4.3★ · 32 travelers1-2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →
Most bookedPark Guell Skip-the-Line Guided Tour in Barcelona4.6★ · 8,117 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$34 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Transfer From Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport5★ · 16 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$140 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The monument stands at the lower end of La Rambla, a busy tree-lined pedestrian walkway.
- Look for the eight coats-of-arms on the plinth representing places Columbus visited, including Huelva, Córdoba, Salamanca, and Cuba.
- The pedestal includes portrait medallions of figures like the Pinzón brothers, King Ferdinand, and Queen Isabella.
A bit of history
The idea for the monument was proposed in 1856 by Antoni Fages i Ferrer, but gained no traction until 1872 when the mayor supported it. A competition for Spanish artists was won by Catalan Gaietà Buigas i Monravà. Construction ran from 1882 to 1888, funded mostly by private sources, with only twelve percent from public funds. All labor and materials were Catalan.
Common questions
What does the statue of Columbus point at?
The statue points south-southeast toward the sea, roughly toward Constantine, Algeria, not toward Genoa. It is likely positioned to emphasize Columbus's naval achievements.
What scenes are shown on the bronze panels?
The eight bas-relief panels depict key moments from Columbus's first voyage, such as his departure from Palos de la Frontera, his arrival in the New World, and his return to Barcelona.
Who is depicted on the pedestal?
The pedestal includes medallions of Martín Alonso Pinzón, Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, Ferdinand II, Isabella I, and others, plus statues of a Mallorcan cartographer, Luis de Santángel, and figures with kneeling Native Americans.
Is the monument controversial?
In 2020, there were calls to remove the statue, but the mayor rejected them. The pro-independence party CUP has unsuccessfully sought its removal in 2016, 2018, and 2020.
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