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Statue of Cristóbal Colón

Statue of Cristóbal Colón

In the center of Parque Colón / Columbus Park in the historical Colonial Zone one can see the huge statue of Italian explorer and navigator “El Gran Almirante” Christopher Columbus / Cristóbal Colón who the park is named after. This bronze statue dates back from February 27, 1887. It is the work of French sculptor Ernest Gilbert.

The statue of “El Gran Almirante” Cristóbal Colón stands in the center of Parque Colón in front of the first cathedral of the Americas, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The statue of “El Gran Almirante” Cristóbal Colón stands in the center of Parque Colón in front of the first cathedral of the Americas, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The controversial sculpture shows the native Taino Princess known as Anacaona writing Columbus’ name in gold. She is reaching towards Columbus standing atop the pillar in his arrogant glory. Some say that the half-naked indigenous woman who lies at his feet symbolizes the meeting of the two cultures, while others see her as a symbol of the abuse and mistreatment the native inhabitants were subjected to by the conquerors.

Anacaona, the famous Taino princess on the base of the sculpture of Christopher Columbus
Anacaona, the famous Taino princess on the base of the sculpture of Christopher Columbus

The monument of Columbus sits on a marble pedestal designed by Engineers Thomaset, Soler y Carranza. There is also a palm branch on the side of the pedestal with 4 ships protruding from each of the 4 corners of the pedestal. I have done much research and cannot find any information about these parts of the statue.

Close up of one of the ships that adorn the pedestal of the Cristobal Colón monument
Close up of one of the ships that adorn the pedestal of the Cristobal Colón monument


 

The plaque at the base of the monument reads:

Ilustre y Esclarecido Don Cristoval Colon
“Monumento escultorico en honor al gran almirante Don Cristobal Colon descubridor del nuevo mundo primer virrey y gobernador de AMERICA realizado por el artista Ernesto Gilbert inaugurado el 27 de febrero de 1887”

Illustrious and enlightened Sir Christopher Columbus.
“Sculptural monument in honor of the great admiral Don Cristobal Colon discoverer of the New World first viceroy and governor AMERICA by artist Gilbert Ernesto opened on February 27, 1887.”

The monument to the Grand Admiral Cristopher Columbus with his finger pointing northwest in the direction from which he came.
The monument to the Grand Admiral Cristopher Columbus with his finger pointing northwest in the direction from which he came.


 

Interesting Facts

*Columbus has his left arm extended to the northwest pointing in the direction of where he came from.

*There are no pictures of Columbus in existence. The way he looks is an artistic creation.

*To mention Christopher Columbus’s name is very unlucky. Instead of using his name, Dominicans call him “El Almirante” / “The Admiral.” (more superstitions and bad omens)

*It is a local joke that the statue of Montecinos, with his hand raised to his mouth, is yelling “¡Ladrone! ¡Ladrone! / Thief! Thief! ” and Columbus is pointing “¡Por ahí! ¡Por ahí! / Over there! Over there!”.

*Columbus Day is not celebrated in the Dominican Republic. October 12th is called Dia de la Raza / Day of the Races. It is to celebrate all persons, white, black and aborigines and how they mixed into one race.

*Columbus remains originally were located inside the Catedral de Santa María la Menor but were said to be moved to the newly built Faro Colón / Columbus Lighthouse. But some say his remains are in Spain. The controversy continues.

The shadow of the monument dedicated to Cristóbal Colón under a waning moon.
The shadow of the monument dedicated to Cristóbal Colón under a waning moon.

Location

You can see this monument dedicated to the Grand Admiral Cristobal Colón in Parque Colón on Calle el Conde in the center of the old section of the Colonial Zone.


 

Parque Colón-Columbus Park

Parque Colón / Columbus Park

Parque Colón, named after the Admiral Cristobal Colón, is one of the most popular parks in the Colonial Zone. The plaza is surrounded by historical buildings and restaurants. With its large trees and shaded benches, it is the perfect spot to sit, relax and watch people.

Parque Colón and the Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Colonial Zone with its beautiful trees and benches for relaxing
Parque Colón and the Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Colonial Zone with its beautiful trees and benches for relaxing

About Parque Colón | History | Interesting Facts | Location


 

About Parque Colón

Columbus Park is a large bricked park or plaza about 298 x 200 feet / 90 x 60 meters in size. It is located on the side of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. The beautiful large trees with cozy park benches make it feel like a little oasis in a big city.

The Plaza is surrounded by 3 streets, the pedestrian-only Calle el Conde, Isabel la Católica and Arzobispo Meriño. Some of the historical buildings surrounding the park include the Palacio Consistorial, The Palacio de Borgellá, and the First Cathedral in the Americas, The Catedral de Santo Domingo.

Parque Colón is usually full of tourists and locals enjoying their day
Parque Colón is usually full of tourists and locals enjoying their day

The park is a hangout for tourists and locals alike. You will see people snapping pictures, feeding the large flocks of pigeons, children playing with their parents looking on, lovers holding hands, people just sitting relaxing (maybe even taking a snooze) while enjoying the gentle breezes and the shade getting relief from the hot Dominican sun.


 

Columbus Park on a Saturday afternoon with everyone, even the dogs, enjoying the day.
Columbus Park on a Saturday afternoon with everyone, even the dogs, enjoying the day.

Because Parque Colón is a high traffic tourist area, there will be many vendors trying to sell you many different types of items. Maybe a CD of typical Dominican music, a rosary or some other trinket. There is normally a Marchanta selling snacks. There are always tour guides looking for guidees at a price. Taxi drivers will ask if you need a taxi as you pass by their stands. Maybe a shoeshine boy (limpia bota) will ask if you need a shine or give you a little flower and then ask you to pay for it. A local street dog could follow you, they can spot a tourist from a distance.

Parque Colón in 1914 and the Catedral Primada de Americas
Parque Colón in 1914 and the Catedral Primada de Americas

History

It is said that the location of this plaza originally was an important place for the native peoples, the Tainos, to gather. But that all changed when the Europeans showed up and “discovered” Hispaniola.

Originally the square reached from Calle Real (now called Calle El Conde), Calle de la Universidad (now Calle Padre Billini), Calle del Arzobispo (now Arzobispo Portes) and Calle de Santa Clara (now Isabel la Católica).

In 1514 they decided to place the Cathedral in more than half of the park. This included the Plazoleta de Los Curas, the Plazoleta Padre Billini, and the houses that faced Calle Padre Billini. In 1521 Bishop Alejandro Geraldini started building the Cathedral.

Parque Colón with the statue of Cristobal Colón and you can also see a fountain in Ciudad Trujillo 1936 - Image taken from the book Trujillo and His Work.
Parque Colón with the statue of Cristobal Colón and you can also see a fountain in Ciudad Trujillo 1936 – Image taken from the book Trujillo and His Work.

They made the original Plaza of earth and there were no trees. There was a water fountain in the center with water that was supplied from the original aqueducts of the city. The first tree was planted in the Plaza during the Haitian invasion in 1822. It was a palm called de la Libertad. After the country was free of Haitian rule, the plaza was improved and more trees were added.

The square was known as Plaza Mayor, named by Nicolás de Ovando in 1506. This plaza was also named Plaza de Armas. When the first Cathedral was completed in 1523 the name was again changed to Plaza de la Catedral. They installed the statue of the Grand Admiral Cristobal Colón, a creation of the French sculptor Ernest Gilbert unveiled on February 27, 1887, the plaza was baptized with the name of Parque Colón.

The plaza which was originally a grassy plot was eventually paved and benches and lanterns were added making it into the park we know and love today.

Reference:

https://repositorio.unphu.edu.do/bitstream/handle/123456789/2358/La%20plaza%20mayor%20de%20la%20ciudad%20colonial%20de%20Santo%20Domingo.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Parque Colón with the statue of Columbus and The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the background.
Parque Colón with the statue of Columbus and The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the background.


 

Interesting Facts:

*Parque Colón was voted one of the best in all the world…more info (https://www.colonialzone-dr.com/useless-trivia/#public-place).

*The first electric lights in the city of Santo Domingo were turned on in Parque Colón on February 27, 1896.

*At one time there were working fountains on both sides of the park which have been filled in.

Columbus Park on a beautiful Sunday morning.
Columbus Park on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Location:

The park is located directly in front of the Catedral Santa Maria (the oldest cathedral in all Las Americas). On the other side of the park is Calle El Conde and streets Isabel la Católica and Arzobispo Meriño in the center of the old part of the Colonial City.