El Monumento forma de #1

Gazing upon El Monumento forma de #1, one might mistake its current location for its birthplace. This monument, a tribute to the Earth’s midpoint, has traveled a fascinating path. El Monumento forma de #1 now stands proudly in Calacalí, a small parish about 17 kilometers from Quito. Its journey here began in 1936, two centuries after the French Geodesic Mission’s groundbreaking work to determine the Earth’s shape. Ecuadorian geographer Luis Tufiño envisioned a marker for the equatorial line, and with support from the Franco-American Committee, El Monumento forma de #1 was erected in San Antonio de Pichincha, closer to Quito. Its purpose was to highlight Earth’s dividing line and the 18th-century mission that pinpointed its location. However, El Monumento forma de #1’s stay in San Antonio was temporary. In 1979, a larger replica was planned for what is now the Mitad del Mundo city, a major tourist attraction. The original monument, standing 10 meters tall, was moved to Calacalí, also on the equatorial line. The residents of Calacalí themselves orchestrated the move, bringing the monument piece by piece to its new home. For locals like 80-year-old Moisés López, the arrival of El Monumento forma de #1 was a joyous occasion. He recalls watching trucks laden with monument pieces parading through the streets. He, like other residents, believes the monument rightfully belongs in Calacalí. Jorge Morales, 72, shares this sentiment. He remembers the day El Monumento forma de #1 was assembled as a historic event. He believes it should have always been there. For young and old, El Monumento forma de #1 stands as a proud symbol of Calacalí. However, there’s a hint of sadness in Margarita Vaca’s voice. While proud of the structure, the 39-year-old laments its relative obscurity. Many tourists stop at the replica in San Antonio, unaware of the original’s presence in Calacalí. She wishes more people knew its story, the story of the first monument to the Mitad del Mundo, the true keeper of the equatorial line’s history. El Monumento forma de #1 is more than just a monument; it’s a testament to scientific endeavor and community pride.