Monument to Columbus (Salamanca)


The Monument to Columbus is an instance of public art in Salamanca, Spain. The monument, dedicated to Christopher Columbus, is erected on the centre of the namesake plaza.

History and description

The idea for the erection of the monument was part of the series of initiatives in Spain intending to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus to the Americas. A work by and standing 3.30 metre high, the statue representing Columbus was cast in bronze. The location chosen for the monument was the Plaza de los Menores, that from then on, it became known as "plaza de Colón". Building works started in 1892.
The frontside of the stone pedestal features the and an inscription reading , while the lateral sides incorporate two reliefs depicting the busts of Diego de Deza and Isabella of Castile.
It was unveiled on 9 September 1893.

In popular culture

The finger-pointing statue helped to create a folkloric ditty: ¿Hacia dónde apunta Colón? A la calle de Pan y Carbón.