Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) - Madrid, Spain - Statues of Historic Figures on Waymarking.com

The statue in honour of Cristopher Columbus was built between 1881 and 1885, to celebrate the royal marriage between Alfonso XII and María de las Mercedes from Orleáns (January 23, 1878). The figure of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) is the work of sculptor Jerónimo Suñol and the Gothic pedestal is by Arturo Mélida. The work began in 1881 and the whole monument was finished 1885. The supposed dedication of the monument was inJanuary 4, 1886 in occassion of the 400th anniversary of the return of Columbus from his first voyage. However, due to the king's death (November 25, 1885) was the dedication postponed. Finally the dedication of the monument coincided with the fourth centenary of the discovery of America on October 12, 1892. The plaza (square) where was the monument installed ,originally named as "Plaza de Santiago" (St. James Square), was renamed "Plaza de Colón" in 1893 to honour of Christopher Columbus. The monument was originally was located in the center of the square, but in 1973, during remodeling of the square it was moved to the right. In 2009 during next reconstruction of the square it was decidec to place the monument on its original location.

The overlife size statue of the Christopher Columbus made of white marble as well as the 17 meters high neo-Gothic plinth (column) depicts him standing next to mooring-post. Originally he looked west with an outstretched pointing arm, showing the way to the New World of the Americas. After its latest relocation he looks southward and probably no ones know where he actually is pointing ;-)
He is carrying the standard of Castile in his right hand and he wears the costume of Admiral of the Indies.

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