Barcelona - Columbus Monument

At the Plaça del Portal de la Pau stands the Monument a Cristòfor Colom, 60m/197ft high and weighing 205 tons, which was erected for the World Exhibition in 1888. The iron column is completely covered with allegorical figures. Around the base is a series of reliefs depicting important stages in Columbus's life and voyages of discovery. On the top of the column is an 8m/26ft high statue of Columbus, which points out to sea (and therefore not directly towards the New World). A lift takes visitors up to a look-out area from where there are excellent views of port and the city.