

They received donations from Italian American businessmen from all over States. “Il Progresso”, a New York City-based Italian-language newspaper took up the cause to rais the required fund. Its first location was planned to be Bowling Green or somewhere in Lower Manhattan, with the first location being. The monument was part of the three monuments planned to be installed in 1892 to commemorate of the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the Americas. More details were added at a later point - the fountains, inspired by those in Rome are gift from the Delacorte Foundation, for Columbus Day. The pedestal features an angel holding a globe. It consists of 14-foot marble monument of Columbus atop a large granite column.It is decorated with bronze reliefs of his three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María.

The monument is 76 – foot tall and was created by Gaetano Russo. It was was originally known as just “The Circle” but got its name by the Christopher Columbus statue that got installed there in 1892. Afterwards, headto Central Park for a relaxing stroll amongst nature.ĬolumbusCircle is located at the intersection between 59th street, Eighth Avenue and Broadway,and sits atop a subway station by the same name.Columbus circle is a large roundabout, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in his 1857 vision for the park, which included a rotary on the southwest corner of the park. During theChristmas season, shop at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. Surrounding the monument is a great selection of shops,including men’s and ladies’ fashion, homewares and beauty stores. Check out the Time Warner Center and the Museum ofArts and Design. Visit at night to see themonument illuminated by lights.Įxplore the buildingssurrounding Columbus Circle. Listen tothe sounds of the water fountain, watch street performers and pick up anItalian snack at one of the surrounding cafés. Take a seat near themonument, people-watch and admire the buildings and the open views. On the granite column see the bows of ships andanchors.

Notice on the base the allegorical Genius of Discovery aswell as the bronze reliefs showing images of Columbus’s travels, a lotus crestand a bald-headed eagle. Hestands atop a foundation of water fountains that are modeled on the waterfeatures in Rome.

Stroll around thesculpture and admire the Carrara marble figure of Christopher Columbus. The monument at the center was created by Sicilian artistGaetano Russo and in 1892, on the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’sarrival in the Americas, it was donated to the City of New York by theItalian-American community. The open, circular area was originally a turning place forhorse-drawn vehicles. Within this grandmemorial space are places to sit, unwind and watch the passing rhythms of this“city that never sleeps.”Ĭolumbus Circle isone of four individual plazas that act as a gateway between the city andCentral Park. In the middle of thistraffic circle is an iconic monument that celebrates the great explorer andmarks the transition from the city to the relaxing atmosphere of Central Park.Ĭolumbus Circle is aroundabout at the southwest entry point to Central Park.
