El Angel de la Independencia rises above Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, a Corinthian victory column designed by the architect and engineer Antonio Rivas Mercado and completed in 1910 to mark the centennial of the start of Mexico's war of independence from Spain. A gilded bronze statue of a winged Victory figure, sculpted by Enrique Alciati, crowns the column, and the monument's base contains a crypt holding the remains of several leading figures of the independence movement, including Miguel Hidalgo. A major earthquake in 1957 toppled the gilded angel from its pedestal, shattering it on the pavement below, and the statue was subsequently recast and reinstalled atop a strengthened column. The monument's broad traffic circle has since become one of the principal gathering places in Mexico City for both national celebrations, including championship victory parades, and large political demonstrations.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.