Overview:

The Angel of Independence, most commonly known by its Spanish-language name El Ángel de la Independencia, is a victory column located in central Mexico City in a roundabout on the major thoroughfare of Paseo de la Reforma. It is considered the most important symbol of Mexico's independence from Spain, having been built in 1910 to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of the War of Independence. The pillar, including the angel sculpture atop it, is 48 metres (157 ft) tall. The platform and sculptures are made of a variety of stones (including granite, marble, and porphyry) and metals (including bronze and wrought iron). It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Mexico
Prominent Features:

City The Angel of Independence (El Ángel de la Independencia), is a monument located on a roundabout over Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City. A group of patriotic citizens proposed the erection of a monument to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence in 1910. The most prominent features of El Ángel include a tall column topped with a Winged Victory statue, commonly known as the Spirit of Independence. The base of the monument is adorned with four immense bronze sculptures of figures symbolizing Law, War, Justice and Peace. A laurel crown surrounds the Victory figure and symbolizes the nation's independence. The column stands 47 meter tall and is made of pink quarry stone from Pachuca. On the lower level of El Ángel is a shrine honoring the country’s heroes who participated and died in the war of independence, with the names of Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, Vicente Guerrero, and Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez inscribed around the base. A remarkable feature of El Ángel is its nighttime lighting which is visible for miles. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Mexico.

History:

El Ángel de la Independencia (English: Angel of Independence) is a monument located in Mexico City, Mexico. It stands atop a huge victory column that was built after the Mexican War of Independence to commemorate the centennial of Mexico's independence from Spain. The monument was designed by architectural team of Antonio Rivas Mercado, Sergio Z self, Miguel Aragon and Moises Pearce. On October 28, 1910, the celebration to mark the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence began. Events included the Te Deum, with diplomatic and foreign representatives of the country, civil society, high-ranking military and religious authorities, and over five hundred school children. Symbolic bells and a cannonade were included in the ceremony. A parade of school children from each of the city's 139 schools followed the religious ceremony. The construction of the monument began in 1910, in former Emperador Avenue. The project was handed over to Antonio Rivas Mercado, resulting in the monument we know today. The monument was inaugurated on September 16, 1910, to the cheer of salutes of 21 artillery shots, after which soldiers and school children laid a wreath of laurel and flowers at the base of the column. The statue, which is made of bronze, stands 10.2 meters (33 feet) in height. It is topped by a bronze Winged Victory figure that was taken from an ancient Roman sculpture known as the Nike of Samothrace and is a replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The angel holds a broken chain symbolizing freedom from bondage, and the tradition of the tree of freedom next to it are symbols of Mexican Independence. Today, El Ángel is an important centerpiece of Mexican national culture and it is embedded in the collective and historic memory of the country. It has become a major tourist attraction, drawing countless visitors from around the world. On Independence Day, it is traditional for the President of Mexico to make a speech from the balcony of El Ángel de la Independencia. Visit one of the famous monuments of Mexico with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

City 1. El Ángel de la Independencia, which stands at 66 feet tall, was designed by the Italian sculptor Enrique Alciati. 2. The structure is mounted on an 8.7 meter pedestal and weighs over 20 tons. It is made of cast bronze and covered with 24 karat gold. 3. The monument was erected in 1910 to celebrate the centenary of the first cry for independence from Spain, which occurred in 1810. 4. El Ángel de la Independencia is located at Paseo de la Reforma, an important avenue in central Mexico City. 5. From its perch atop the monumental stairs, El Ánge de la Independencia watches over the city, with its back turned to the official Presidential palace. 6. El Ángel de la Independencia is sometimes referred to as “Equestrian statue of the Angel of Independence” due to the sculpture showing an angel atop a horse. 7. Each September 15th, Mexicans place flowers at the base of El Ángel de la Independencia to celebrate their independence day. One of the historical monuments of Mexico, it tells the story of a bygone era