5/5 Kushal Brata G. 1 year ago on Google
The
Angel
of
Independence,
most
commonly
known
as
El
Ángel,
is
a
victory
column
on
a
busy
roundabout
on
the
major
thoroughfare
of
Paseo
de
la
Reforma
in
downtown
Mexico
City,
the
capital
of
Mexico.
Understanding
this
monument
is
understanding
the
country,
so
here
are
some
fascinating
facts
you
should
know.
El
Monumento
a
la
Independencia’
is
a
tribute
to
Mexico’s
victory
over
Spain
in
its
War
of
Independence.
From
1521
when
Hernán
Cortés
defeated
the
Aztec
nation,
the
vast
country
of
Mexico,
once
known
as
New
Spain,
remained
a
colony
of
Spain
for
over
300
years.
On
September
16,
1810,
according
to
Mexican
tradition
and
folklore,
a
Catholic
priest
named
Miguel
Hidalgo
y
Costilla,
went
into
the
parish
church
in
the
town
of
Dolores,
rang
the
church
bell,
and
delivered
a
speech
now
known
as
the
Grito
de
Dolores
(Cry
of
Dolores)
demanding
the
end
of
Spanish
rule.
This
started
the
brutal
Mexican
War
of
Independence
that
finally
led
to
Mexico’s
status
as
an
independent
monarchy
and
then
a
republic.
Though
on
August
24,
1821,
Spain
withdrew
and
officially
recognized
Mexico
as
an
independent
country,
Mexico
celebrates
September
16
as
its
Independence
Day,
the
day
father
Costilla
rang
the
bell
in
1810.
The
iconic
monument
was
built
and
inaugurated
on
16th
September
1910,
by
President
Porfirio
Diaz,
to
commemorate
the
100th
year
of
the
beginning
of
Mexico’s
struggle
for
independence
from
Spain.
Interestingly
the
Mexican
Revolution
occurred
this
same
year
and
raged
till
1935.
One
of
the
aims
of
the
Revolution
was
to
overthrow
President
Diaz,
who
oversaw
the
building
of
the
monument.
While
Diaz
was
responsible
for
modernizing
the
nation,
he
was
not
popular
among
the
poor
masses.
The
events
which
surrounded
the
building
of
the
monument
were
also
a
turning
point
and
a
defining
moment
in
Mexico’s
history.
The
36
meters
column
is
made
up
of
steel
enclosed
with
quarried
stones,
highlighted
with
garlands
and
rings
with
the
names
of
Independence
figures.
It
also
contains
a
two-hundred
step
staircase
which
leads
to
the
standpoint
area.
Its
main
facade
includes
an
inscription
reading
“The
Nation
to
the
Heroes
of
Independence”
(La
Nación
a
los
Héroes
de
la
Independencia).
The
24k
gold-covered,
6.7
meters
bronze
statue
of
Nike,
the
Greek
goddess
of
Victory
crowns
the
tower.
However,
today’s
statue
is
a
copy
of
the
original,
which
fell
from
its
pedestal
and
broke
into
several
pieces
during
an
earthquake
in
1957.
She
holds
a
crown
of
laurel
in
her
right
hand,
symbolizing
Victory,
while
in
her
left
she
holds
a
broken
chain,
symbolizing
Freedom.
The
base
of
the
column
is
quadrangular
with
each
vertex
featuring
a
bronze
sculpture
symbolizing
law,
war,
justice,
and
peace.
Next
to
the
column
there
is
a
group
of
marble
statues
of
some
of
the
heroes
of
the
War
of
Independence.
There
is
also
a
bronze
statue
of
a
giant
lion
led
by
a
child,
representing
strength
and
the
innocence
of
youth
during
War
but
docility
during
Peace.
Within
the
base
is
a
tiny
mausoleum.
A
golden
chest
with
important
documents
related
to
independence
and
a
coin
collection
are
embedded
in
the
foundation.
An
eternal
flame
burns
in
the
base.
The
remains
of
Mexico’s
greatest
revolutionaries
who
were
active
during
the
fight
for
independence
lie
here.
Originally
there
were
nine
steps
leading
to
the
base,
but
due
to
the
sinking
of
the
ground,
an
ongoing
problem
in
Mexico
City,
fourteen
more
steps
were
added.
It
resembles
the
July
Column
in
Paris
and
the
Victory
Column
in
Berlin.
Advice:
If
you
want
to
get
close
to
the
monument
you
should
be
careful
while
running
across
the
busy
road
in
the
roundabout.
However,
it
isn't
difficult
if
you
wait
for
a
local
and
follow
their
lead.
People
in
Mexico
(CDMX)
are
very
friendly
and
helpful.