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Columbus Monument

The Columbus Monument stands in Plaça del Portal de la Pau, at the end of the Rambla and facing the harbour. It was designed by Gaietà Buigas for the 1888 Universal Exposition; construction ran from 1882 to 1888 and most of the cost was privately funded. It is about 60 metres tall. The 7.2-metre bronze statue of Columbus, the work of Rafael Atché, stands on a Corinthian-order iron column; with his right arm he points out to sea, and in his left he holds a scroll or nautical chart. The octagonal pedestal carries winged victories, griffins, eight medallions and eight reliefs with scenes from the first voyage. At the circular base, four staircases are flanked by lions. A lift inside the column goes up to the viewing platform, just beneath the statue's feet.

Things to do at Columbus Monument: 4 missions

• Go up to the viewpoint in the columnTake the lift inside the column up to the glazed platform, just beneath the statue's feet, and pick out the harbour and the Rambla.
• Count the lions at the baseWalk around the circular base, with four staircases flanked by lions, and count them.
• Follow Columbus's armFrom the foot of the monument, notice where Rafael Atché's statue is pointing: its right arm points out to sea, facing south-south-east.
• Read the reliefs on the pedestalLook at the octagonal pedestal: eight reliefs with scenes from Columbus's first voyage, alternating with coats of arms.

Near Columbus Monument

Source: Turismo en Catalunya - Mirador de Colón