El angel de la independencia

El Ángel de la Independencia ("The Angel of Independence"), most commonly known by the shortened name El Ángel and officially known as Columna de la Independencia, is a victory column located on a roundabout over Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City.
El Ángel was built to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence, celebrated in 1910. In later years it wasmade into a mausoleum for the most important heroes of that war. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Mexico City, and it has become a focal point for both celebration or protest. It bears a resemblance to the July Column in Paris and the Victory Column in Berlin.



Neighborhood: Reforma Avenue
Address: Reforma Avenue corner Florencia
Metro: Sevilla
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One of the mostrepresentative symbols of México City and the whole country, the Angel of Independence stands majestically in Paseo de la Reforma. The first stone of this renowned monument was placed on January 2nd 1902 by Porfirio Díaz. The project was directed by the architect Antonio Rivas Mercado, who was also responsible for the Juarez Theatre in the City of Guanajuato. This monument was inspired by a projectthat arose during the government of Antonio López de Santa Anna, meant to pay tribute to the heroes of Mexico’s Independence; it consisted in a stone zócalo, built in the middle of the Plaza of the Constitution, from which a Corinthian column would rise, crowned by an angel. However, this project didn’t come through, and by the end of the 19th Century, the architect Antonio Rivas Mercado retookit getting inspiration from famous columns in the world like the Tarajano in Rome, the one in Vendome Plaza in Paris and the one with Alexander in Saint Petersburg. All these columns were erected to commemorate the triumph of ideals in their respective countries. It was in this way that this architect designed a circular zócalo upon which a cubic base would stand, supporting on each of its cornersfour statues, crafted by Enrique Alciati, representing Peace, Law, Justice and War. The remains of some of the most outstanding leaders of the Mexican Independence movement like Miguel Hidalgo, Vicente Guerrero and Ignacio Allende rest inside this base, which also includes the sculptures of said insurgents and a beautiful sculpture of a lion guided by a boy which represents the dominance of truthand intelligence over strength. Upon this base, a 35 meter high Corinthian column made of Chiluca stone, was erected, and placed on top was the famous “Winged Victory” (or Nike) a symbol of triumph among the ancient Greeks. This monument was inaugurated on September 16th 1910 as a culminating event of the festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence, which were attendedby important diplomats, ambassadors, civil servants and the general population to enjoy the fireworks, parades and concerts that took place in Paseo de la Reforma on that occasion. Years later, in 1957, the monument to Independencce, popularly known as “The Angel” lived its hardest moment when the golden sculpture fell off the column as a consequence of a strong earthquake. Nevertheless, to thedelight of the people, the sculpture was replaced a short time after and has stayed where it belongs ever since. Today, due to its importance, the Angel of Independence is, along with the Zócalo, one of the two places in which Mexican people gather to celebrate or to protest in special occasions like political meetings and manifestations, or victorious performances of the Mexican football team inworld championships. | |

The Monument to the Revolution (Spanish: Monumento a la Revolución) is a landmark and monument commemorating the Mexican Revolution. It is located in Revolution Square (Spanish: Plaza de la Revolución) which divides Revolution Avenue between the avenues Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida de los Insurgentes in downtown Mexico City.
The open building was designed by...