The Mystery Of Barcelona's Cologne Monument

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a city with a rich history and a diverse range of architectural styles. From Roman ruins to modern buildings, Barcelona has something for everyone. One of the most famous monuments in Barcelona is the Monument of Christopher Columbus, a 60-metre-high column erected in 1888 to honour the explorer's voyage to the New World. The monument is located at the bottom of Las Ramblas, where Columbus returned to Spain, and offers breathtaking views of the city and the port of Barcelona.

The Monument of Christopher Columbus

The monument stands at the bottom of La Rambla, where Columbus returned to Spain and reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V. The statue, sculpted by Rafael Atché, is 7 metres tall and depicts Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in his left. Interestingly, the statue points east, towards his hometown of Genoa, rather than west towards the New World. The statue stands on a pedestal, on which the word "Tierra" (Land) is inscribed.

The column itself stands on an octagonal pedestal, adorned with four bronze winged figures representing victory, known as Phemes, taking flight towards the four corners of the world. The pedestal also features four buttresses, each bearing a portrait medallion of a person related to Columbus, including Martín Alonzo Pinzón, Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Isabella I of Castile.

The monument includes an elevator inside the column, allowing visitors to ascend to a viewing platform just below the statue, where they can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its port.

The column's designer: Gaietà Buïgas

The Monument of Christopher Columbus in Barcelona, Spain, also known as the Columbus Monument, is a 60-metre-high column constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona in 1888. It was designed by Gaietà Buïgas i Monravà, a Catalan who won the contest held exclusively for Spanish artists to submit their designs. The monument stands at the bottom of Barcelona's Ramblas, marking the spot where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas.

The design of the monument includes an octagonal pedestal, four buttresses, and a Corinthian column topped by a bronze statue of Columbus. The statue, sculpted by Rafael Atché, is 7.2 metres tall and depicts Columbus pointing towards the New World with a scroll in his left hand. It is said that the statue points southeast, towards the city of Constantine, Algeria, underscoring Columbus's achievements in naval exploration.

The column itself is 40 metres tall and is adorned with a device bearing an anchor. Four bronze winged victories or Phemes take flight from the octagonal pedestal towards the four corners of the world, above paired griffins. The buttresses of the pedestal bear portrait medallions depicting significant figures related to Columbus, including Martín Alonzo Pinzón, Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Isabella I of Castile.

The Monument of Christopher Columbus serves as a reminder of the explorer's historic voyage and his return to Barcelona, where he reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V. The monument is a testament to the city's rich history and creative dynamism, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The statue's sculptor: Rafael Atché

The sculptor of the statue of Christopher Columbus in Barcelona, Spain, was Rafael Atché. Atché was responsible for crafting the 7-metre-tall statue that stands atop a 40-metre-tall Corinthian column. The entire monument, known as the Columbus Monument, stands at 60 metres.

Rafael Atché's statue depicts Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in his left hand. Interestingly, the statue points east, towards Genoa, Columbus's hometown, rather than west towards the New World. The statue stands on a pedestal inscribed with the word "Tierra," which means "Land" in Spanish.

The monument was constructed for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair, also known as the Exposición Universal de Barcelona, to commemorate Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. It is located at the bottom of Barcelona's Ramblas, the spot where Columbus returned to Spain after his historic journey.

The statue of Columbus replaced an earlier plan to feature a statue of the Greek goddess Athena, symbolising the city of Barcelona. The organisers of the World Fair decided that a statue of Columbus would be more appropriate for the international exhibition. The statue was installed atop the column in 1888, completing the monument.

Rafael Atché's sculpture is a significant part of the Columbus Monument, which serves as a reminder of Christopher Columbus's achievements and his return to Spain after his voyages of exploration.

The monument's history

The Monument to Christopher Columbus, or the Columbus Monument, in Barcelona, Spain, has a rich history. The monument was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) or the 1888 World's Fair, in honour of Christopher Columbus' first voyage to the Americas.

The idea for the monument was first proposed in 1856 by Antoni Fages i Ferrer, who suggested that it be built entirely by Catalans. However, it wasn't until 16 years later, in 1872, that his idea gained traction when he received support from the mayor of the city, Francesc Rius i Taulet. In 1881, the city passed a resolution to build the monument, and a contest was held for Spanish artists to submit their designs. The winner was Gaietà Buigas i Monravà, a Catalan.

Most of the funding for the monument came from private sources, with only 12% financed by public funds. All of the funding came from Spanish sources, and the entire construction (labour and materials) was done by Catalans. Construction began in 1882 and was completed in 1888, in time for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona.

The monument stands 60 metres (197 feet) tall and is made up of a Corinthian column topped with a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus. The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and depicts Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in his left. The statue stands on a pedestal, on which the word "Tierra" (Land) is inscribed.

The monument is located at the bottom of La Rambla in Barcelona, on the spot where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. It serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona after his first trip to the new continent.

The monument's location

The Monument of Christopher Columbus, or the Columbus Monument, is located in Barcelona, Spain, at the bottom of La Rambla, also known as the Ramblas. The monument was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona, or Barcelona World Fair, in 1888. It is a 60-metre-high column, with a 7-metre-high statue of Christopher Columbus on top. The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and depicts Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in his left.

The monument stands at the spot where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas and reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V. The statue points south-southeast, towards the city of Constantine, Algeria. However, if it were to point to Genoa in northern Italy, Columbus's hometown, it would need to face east-northeast.

The Columbus Monument is one of the most iconic monuments in Barcelona. It serves as a reminder of the city's rich history and has become a popular tourist attraction, offering a panoramic view of the city from the top.

The monument is easily accessible, with the nearest metro station, Drassanes Barcelona, just a short walk away. The surrounding area, known as the Gothic Quarter, is also worth exploring, with its narrow streets, historic buildings, and vibrant atmosphere.

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