Historic Figure: Christopher Columbus - Cartagena, Colombia

Christopher Columbus

 Monument

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.346 W 075° 32.996

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Christopher Columbus is located at the east end of the Plaza de la Aduana in Cartagena, Colombia.

Long Description:

Christopher Columbus was born about October 31, 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. He was an explorer and navigator whose voyages of exploration were financed by the Monarchs of Spain. He made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, the publicity from which led to an awareness by Europeans of the existence of a New World. He established permanent settlements on the island of Hispaniola and started the colonization process of the New World. He died in Valladolid, Spain on May 20, 1506 at age 54.

Columbus explored the southern Caribbean on his third and fourth voyages. On the fourth voyage (1502-1504) he explored the coast of present day Panama which was part of Colombia until achieving independence from Colombia in 1903. The country of Colombia is named in honor of Christopher Columbus.

An elaborate 25' high white marble monument honoring Christopher Columbus has a circular plinth with an 8' high figure of the explorer standing to the left of a partially clad kneeling native woman who is holding a cornucopia in her right hand. Columbus is dressed in a tunic and jacket. He is wearing a medallion around his neck and rests his left hand on top of a anchor. His left hand is lower down and open with his palm facing forward.

Below is a two tiered 8' diameter octagonal base. The lower part is unadorned and the upper part has alternating recessed sides. The four protruding sides are similarly decorated with wreaths and anchors. The four recessed sides are inscribed:

West Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a globe showing the western hemisphere} 

A CASTILLO Y A LEON

NUEVO MUNDO DIO COLON

Lower Niche:

A

LA HEROICA

CARTAGENA

J.B. MAINEROYT

South Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA NIÑA"

East Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA PINTA"

Lower Niche:

AÑO

DE 1895

North Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA SANTA MARIA"