Overview:

The Angel of Independence, officially known as El Ángel de la Independencia, is a victory column located in the central sector of Mexico City and serves as a focal point of the Paseo de la Reforma, a wide avenue which crosses the center of the capital. It is located atop a 152-foot-tall stone base and is made of bronze, covered with 24K gold. The angel itself is a representation of Victory and has two wings with a laurel crown atop her mane. It was constructed to commemorate Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821 and serves as a memorial to those who died in the struggle. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Mexico
Prominent Features:

City 1. A 39.5-meter-high column topped with a golden angel symbolizing Mexico's independence from Spain. 2. The angel is holding a wreath in one hand and a broken chain in the other, symbolizing the end of Spanish rule. 3. The monument is located in the Plaza de la Constitucion, the main square of downtown Mexico City, facing north towards Chapultepec. 4. Surrounding the monument are four statues that represent the four corners of the Mexican republic. 5. An eternal flame is lit below the monument to signify Mexico's perpetual independence. 6. On September 15th each year, the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration is held at the monument. 7. The monument is a popular tourist destination for its historical and national importance. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Mexico.

History:

The Angel of Independence is one of the most recognizable monuments in Mexico City, and it stands at the end of the city’s main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma. It commemorates Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain and solidifies the country’s place in Latin American history. The monument was originally erected in 1910 to celebrate the centennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain. However, the sculpture is much older. The original angel was designed by Italian sculptor Enrico Catalano in 1895. The statue took three years to construct and stood in the centre of the Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City. Constructed of bronze, it stood atop a tall stone base and depicted a Winged Victory. It quickly became one of the most recognizable symbols of Mexican identity and was featured widely on Mexican coins and stamps. The statue was damaged in a series of earthquakes in the 1930s, and during the Mexican Revolution it was removed from its original location in the central plaza and placed in storage. In the 1950s, it was decided to restore the monument and to rebuild it in the Paseo de la Reforma, where it still stands today. The new statue was made partially of alloyed bronze donated by the nation’s citizens, and it was finally finished in 1960 and re-dedicated to commemorate the centennial of the Mexican Constitution. Today, The Angel of Independence is a recognizable icon within Mexico City and throughout Mexico. Standing 44m (144ft) tall, it is illuminated at night and is floodlit with a tricolour of red, white and green – the colours of the Mexican flag – at all times. The statue can be seen from far away and serves as a powerful reminder of Mexico’s fight for freedom and independence. Visit one of the famous monuments of Mexico with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Angel of Independence is an icon of Mexican independence from Spain. It’s a golden statue of the Winged Victory goddess, located on top of a prominent independence monument in downtown Mexico City. 2. The figure, commonly referred to as El Ángel, was built in 1910 to commemorate the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence. 3. It is one of Mexico City's tallest monuments, standing at 47 meters (154 ft) in height. 4. The pedestal of the sculpture is adorned with two statues representing Winged Victory and Father of the Nation Don Miguel Hidalgo. 5. At the base of the column, four statues representing the Freedom of Religion, the Freedom of Thought, the Freedom of Press, and the Freedom of Industry await. 6. The statue is run by a mechanism called the ‘Organ of Independence’, which causes the winged victory statue to rotate. 7. The popular El Ángel hosts a military ceremony twice a year - on September 16th, the Day of National Independence, and May 5th, The day of the Battle of Puebla. 8. The Angel has been featured on Mexican banknotes and it was recently declared as a cultural heritage by the Mexican government. 9. There is a massive amphitheater located in front of the El Ángel from which concerts are held. It is an extremely popular hangout location in Mexico City. One of the historical monuments of Mexico, it tells the story of a bygone era