Ciutat Vella

The Columbus Monument, stands at the end of Barcelona’s Rambla, near the sea. Take the lift inside the column to the viewing gallery at the top, 60 metres above the ground.

This major landmark on the Rambla was built in 1888 for the Universal Exhibition as a tribute to Christopher Columbus, who chose to disembark in the port of Barcelona on his return from America. Inside, a lift raises the 51mts high of the column, made of cast iron and Corinthian style, to the viewing gallery. If you look north, you’ll be able to make out the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the bustling Rambla. If you look towards the sea, to the east, following the coastline, you will be able to see the Olympic Marina and the modern Forum. To the south, stands Montjuïc Hill, with its castle at the top and, finally, if you look west, you’ll see Collserola Natural Park, the vast green lung surrounding the city of Barcelona.

And in its top, dominating the sky of Barcelona, the statue of Christopher Columbus holding a navigational chart in his left hand, and pointing to the route to America with his right.