Columbus Tower
Jun 3rd, 2014 by willmarks
At the end of La Rambla, in front of the Sea, stands the 60-meter high monument to Christopher Columbus (1452-1506). During a short visit to Barcelona, most tourists will at least catch a glimpse of the tower.
Built for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona of 1888, it is formally called the Mirador de Colón in Spanish and the Monument a Colom in Catalan. It pays tribute to the explorer, as it was here in Barcelona where Christopher Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. Some of the guidebooks state that Isabella and Ferdinand were here to greet him upon his return (in Plaza del Rey); others note that this may not be accurate, as they may have been at their summer residence at the time. Let’s go with the story that the King and Queen welcomed him here with open arms.
According to one Barcelona tourism site, “the statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and is said to depict Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in the left. As it was sited, instead of pointing to the west towards the New World, the statue points east towards Columbus’s supposed home city of Genoa. The statue is atop a socle, on which the word “Tierra” (land) is inscribed.”
We didn’t realize until well into our stay that one could actually rise to the top of the monument. It is a tight squeeze—the elevator holds just three, plus the attendant. The entrance is hidden on the Mediterranean side; look for the steps dropping below grade. We enjoyed the spectacular views.
Looking west, up La Rambla, Gothic Quarter on the right, El Raval on the left, with the Collserola Tower (communications tower built for the 1992 Olympics) atop the hills in the distance…
Looking East at the Mediterranean and the W Hotel, (on the right) along the Barcenoleta beachfront…
Never miss the chance to climb, at the base of the tower…
