Overview:

The Monument to Cuauhtémoc (also known as the Monumento al Venerable Cuauhtémoc) is a commemorative monument honoring Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec ruler who died in 1525. Located in Mexico City, the monument was erected in 1887 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of Cuauhtémoc. The monument is a 30 meter tall column topped with an 8 meter bronze statue of Cuauhtémoc. The column is decorated with reliefs of Spanish conquistadors and Aztecs, which allude to the events of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. At the base of the column, there is a medallion symbolizing the integration of the Pre-Hispanic and Hispanic cultures in Mexico. The Monument to Cuauhtémoc is a symbol of Mexico’s independence and serves as a reminder of Mexico’s tumultuous history. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Mexico
Prominent Features:

City The Monument to Cuauhtémoc is a tall white marble memorial in Mexico City honoring the last of the Aztec emperors. The monument was built in the early 1980s and stands at the site of the former Cuauhtémoc Palace. The famous sculpture stands tall at the eastern entrance of the Reforma Avenue and consists of four sections. The first and tallest part of the monument is a 42-meter-tall marble column topped by a stylized sculpture of the Last Aztec Emperor, Cuauhtémoc, holding an eagle, the national symbol of Mexico, in its left arm and the royal Aztec baton in his right. Above the statue there is a pyramid-style symbol – the “Calendar Stone”, representing the Aztec Sun Calendar - and at the base of the statue sits a large stone frieze showing six warriors and two priests. This sculpture is surrounded on both sides by pedestals featuring sculptures of warriors representing the four directions from which the Aztecs believed they were descended. Finally, two bronze plaques beneath the monument offer information about Cuauhtémoc and the significance of the site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Mexico.

History:

City The Monument to Cuauhtémoc is a victory column located in the Zócalo of Mexico City, the main plaza in the heart of the city. The monument memorializes the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc, who led the resistance against the Spanish conquistadors. The column was built in honor of Cuauhtémoc on September 16th, 1813, during the first anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. Originally designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the column is made of white marble with a bronze statue of Cuauhtémoc on the top. The statue of Cuauhtémoc, showing him standing and holding a bow, was crafted by Mexican sculptor Miguel Noreña. In 1991, the statue was replaced with a maroon-colored copper version in honor of the bicentenary of Mexico's independence. The 1992 replacement faced the same way that the original did, but has a slightly different shape and a more detailed design. In 2008, the column was renamed "Monument to the Heroic Cuauhtémoc" in memory of the tenth anniversary of his death. The column stands today as a powerful symbol of the Aztec's fight against Spanish rule, as well as a reminder of Mexico's proud history of independence. Visit one of the famous monuments of Mexico with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

City 1. The Monument to Cuauhtémoc was erected in honor of the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc, and is located in the Zócalo of Mexico City. 2. The Monument to Cuauhtémoc is the first bronze monument made in the Americas. 3. The figure of Cuauhtémoc was made by artist Manuel Tolsá in 1795 and is 15.2 m (50ft) tall. 4. The Monument has always been the symbol of national pride and admiration for the last Aztec emperor. 5. The bronze figure of the emperor was cast from cannons and other weapons that had been used by Hernan Cortez and his troops in their fight against the Aztecs during the conquest of the New World. 6. The Monument has also been used as a point of reference for political processions, parades and protests throughout history. 7. A memorial plaque on the base of the Monument describes Cuauhtémoc's courage as he defended his people while facing overwhelming odds. 8. The Monument to Cuauhtémoc has been declared a national historical monument, and is currently included in the World Heritage Site list of Mexico City. One of the historical monuments of Mexico, it tells the story of a bygone era