The Monument of Christopher Columbus

  • Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

    Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

  • Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

    Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

  • Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

    Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

  • Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

    Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

The monument of Christopher Columbus is a 60 meters high column, It was put up for the universal exposition of 1888 in homage to the famous explorer. The sight of the city is remarkable.

Elevator to the top of the Monument a Colom ticket

The Columbus Monument "Monument a Colom" in Catalan, also known as "Monumento a Colón and Mirador de Colón" in Spanish, was built for the Barcelona World Fair (1888). It is located at the bottom of Barcelona's Ramblas, on the spot where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. The monument recalls that it was in Barcelona that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabel and Ferdinand after his most famous voyage.

 

The 7-metre high statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and is said to represent Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in his left hand. An amusing detail is that instead of pointing west, i.e. towards the New World, the statue points east, i.e. towards his home town of Genoa.

The statue stands on top of a pedestal, on which is inscribed the word "Tierra" (Land).

 

Christopher Columbus monument in Barcelona

Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Barcelona

 

Another interesting anecdote is that originally the statue at the top of the column was supposed to represent the Greek goddess Athena, who symbolised the city of Barcelona. However, the organisers of the World Fair eventually decided to replace the statue of Athena with a statue of Christopher Columbus, which would be more appropriate for an international exhibition. The statue was installed on top of the column in 1888.

 

Christopher Columbus, the European navigators and the story of a discovery

We know that indigenous peoples who had been living in America for thousands of years discovered America long before the arrival of European explorers.

However, if we talk about the discovery of America by European explorers, the Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus is generally credited with the discovery of America in October 1492, when he reached the Caribbean after crossing the Atlantic Ocean with three ships financed by the Spanish crown.

Nor was he the only explorer at that time in that same part of the oceans; John Cabot explored the coasts of North America in 1497, Amerigo Vespucci explored the coasts of South America in 1499-1502 - he gave his name to that continent - and Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River in North America in 1534.

 

When he died on 20 May 1506, Columbus was still convinced that he had reached the Indies. But his record as an explorer was exceptional: he discovered many of the Caribbean islands and named several of them, including Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante, Trinidad and Dominica. Columbus' name was later attributed to several territories in America: Colombia, Gran Colombia, British Columbia.

The Monument of Christopher Columbus

Pl. Portal de la Pau, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Area: Barrio Gótico
Opening hours: Get to the top of the statue and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the Port of Barcelona every day from 8:30 to 14:30
Metro/Bus: Metro: L3 Drassanes
Barcelona metro map
Hotels: Find your hotel in Barcelona in this area.
Last comment
for the eyesight
johnBG (6 Apr 2023 - 10:22)
Beautiful view of Barcelona in the morning with beautiful light...
it is worth it for Instagramers ;-)
Add a new comment View comments

Nearby best places

  • Bosc de les Fades - Barcelona
    Cafe

    Bar Bosc de les Fades

    Bar Bosc de les Fades means "the fairies forest", a very magic and unique bar in Barcelona to have a cocktel...

    Barrio Gótico - Passatge de la Banca, 5
  • Antinous - Barcelona
    Shop

    Antinous Library

    Antinous is a very well known Gay and Lesbian library on the Ramblas....

    Barrio Gótico - Josep Anselm Clavé, 6
  • Museu Marítim
    Museum

    Maritime Museum

    Maritime Museum of Barcelona

    El Raval - Av. de les Drassanes
  • Pastis - Barcelona
    Cafe

    Pastis

    Pastis for everyone in this place

    El Raval - C/Santa Mònica, 4

Last comments

Barcelona.com - 3 Oct 2024 - 07:42
@CC
Hello CC, To travel from Sitges to Barcelona Airport (specifically Terminal 2), you can take a train but there is no direct train service. Here's how you can do it: Take the R2 Sud train from Sitges: This line runs directly to El Prat de Llobregat station. The train departs frequently from Sitges, and the trip to El Prat de Llobregat takes about 30-35 minutes. Transfer at El Prat de Llobregat: Once you arrive at this station, you need to switch to the R2 Nord train heading to Barcelona Airport (Aeroport T2). This is a short ride of around 6-7 minutes. The overall journey from Sitges to Terminal 2 at Barcelona Airport takes roughly 50-60 minutes, depending on wait times between connections. The trains are generally punctual and frequent, so it’s a convenient option. Best,
Barcelona.com - 3 Oct 2024 - 07:42
@sam
Hello sam, According to the Town Hall, the market will continue to operate throughout the renovation, with the possibility of occasional or partial closures. Best,
CC - 3 Oct 2024 - 07:32
Sitges train to Barceona airport
Sitges to Terminal 2 by train.is there a direct train?
BrandaK - 3 Oct 2024 - 07:30
Manifesta 24
Manifesta is always very interesting; I'm sure Manifesta 24 is a must-see. cya
sam - 3 Oct 2024 - 07:30
works
The Boqueria market will remain open during the construction work in 2025?
Anthony - 2 Oct 2024 - 12:08
great
Bar del Pla is one of my favorite tapas bars in Barcelona. it's really delicious and i can't thank the owners enough for their warm welcome.
Barcelona.com - 20 Sep 2024 - 08:58
@VK
Hello VK, here's the new schedule of free admission to the Picasso museum in Barcelona: First Sunday of each month (advance booking required)*. Open days: February 11, May 18 and September 24 (reservation required)* November 1 to April 30: Thursday, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (reservation required)* May 2 to October 31: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (booking advisable)*. *Free opening hours: Online tickets available on Mondays from 10am. best,
VK - 20 Sep 2024 - 08:36
Free entry on Thursdays
Apparently it’s 7-9PM not as it’s stated here 6-9:30PM

We Recommend >> Must-sees in Barcelona

These are the most recommended things to do in Barcelona for your holidays.

Barcelona Hotels

The ideal hotel for your stay

Whether you are looking for a family or a business stay or just for a weekend, we have selected for you the best hotels in the city to choose from. All categories at all prices. But also the bargains according to your travel dates. Have a good stay!

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Best City Tour: One single ticket, 3 routes and 45 stops!

Discover city sightseeing at your own pace with our selection of Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour tickets. An extraordinary and economic way to make the first connection with main tourist attractions.

From € 31.00
Hola Barcelona Public Transport Card

Hola Transport Card

Unlimited access to public transport

Enjoy unlimited access from 48 to 120 hours to Barcelona's public transport: Metro, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), Montjuïc funicular, tram (TRAM), regional railway (Rodalies de Cataluny) + 1 round trip from the airport to the city center. Only excluding NitBus, Aerobus & hop-on hop-off.

From € 17.50
Barcelona City Pass

Barcelona City Pass

Incl. Sagrada Familia, Park Güell + Hop-On Hop-Off..

The "City Pass Barcelona" our best selling pass!
> Sagrada Família Fast Lane + Audioguide
> Fast entrance to Park Güell + Audioguide
> Hop-on Hop-off 24 or 48 hours or Casa Batlló or Casa Milà
> 10% discount on other tours
> Audioguide of Barcelona

From € 85.00

11 comments

  1. for the eyesight - johnBG (6 Apr 2023 - 10:22)

    Beautiful view of Barcelona in the morning with beautiful light...
    it is worth it for Instagramers ;-)

  2. Decolonize your public space - Stephan Milich (22 Feb 2022 - 10:02)

    Columbus had kidinapped six native Americans, and displayed them in the streets of Barcelona, he was an invador, and started of process that comprises numerous massacres, explusions, genocides. How can you be proud of such a vile history! Why not changing the names of your streets, everywhere imperial, colonial, etc. Spain seems in dire need of decolonization (even more than other European postcolonial societies...)

  3. Columbus Monument - Gildor (31 Jul 2019 - 08:16)

    Hello,
    How is the name of Columbus written on the monument? I mean with local language and letters. Can someone write it here asap, please?
    Thanks in advance.

  4. chirstopher cloumbus - deez nuts (9 Oct 2015 - 09:14)

    that is so cool Buena suerte chirstopher

  5. christopher columbus monument - michelle ♡♥☆★□■○●◇◆》 (27 Jan 2014 - 09:15)

    Wow I never new that christopher Columbus monument is here awsome to because I have the ifo for my project

  6. la statut montre la direction... - stecy (11 May 2012 - 10:45)

    la statut montre la direction du port.

  7. À Coco - Padzine (18 Mar 2012 - 18:30)

    Christophe pointe Genova, sa ville natale en Italie.

  8. christophe collomb barcelona - coco (13 Feb 2012 - 15:00)

    la nstatue indique de sa main une direction mais laquelle ?
    medrci de votre aide

  9. There is a lift in the column - LucinkaPerinka (16 Feb 2008 - 21:31)

    Yes you can get to the ball under Columbusś feet. There is a lift and you can see beautiful scenery...

  10. Statue of Christopher Columbus - BADWOLF (17 Jun 2007 - 12:21)

    Wow,that's big....I don't think you can climb up there.....

  11. this - me (18 May 2007 - 23:09)

    can you go up this thing?

Your comment has been recorded and will be published after moderation.

Close
flag-de flag-en flag-es flag-fr flag-it flag-pt logo-ba-white icon-avatar icon-facebook icon-instagram