Lost in thought for a moment, Benito Juarez, the first indigenous president of Mexico, sought to reform social laws. He championed the separation of church and state. Here we stand before the Homenaje a Benito Juarez. It’s a Neoclassical monument. It sits in Alameda Central park in Mexico City.
This monument commemorates the life and legacy of Benito Juarez. He was a Mexican statesman. Construction on the monument began in 1906. It marked the centennial of Juarez’s birth. The dedication took place on September 18, 1910. Porfirio Diaz assigned the engineers for this construction. Italian artist Alessandro Lazzerini sculpted the statues.
The Homenaje a Benito Juarez boasts a neoclassical style. It has a strong Greek influence. You can see twelve Doric columns. They support an entablature and frieze. Golden spikes adorn both sides of this hemicycle.
At the center stands a sculpture of Benito Juarez. He is seated. Two allegories accompany him. One represents the homeland. It crowns Juarez with laurels. The other represents the law. Festoons decorate the basement. Another sculpture features a republican eagle. It has open wings. Neoaztec frets and two lions lie nearby.
A medallion is on the central pillar. It is surrounded by a laurel. The inscription reads: “For the Meritorious Benito Juarez, the Homeland.” “Al benemerito Benito Juarez la Patria” in Spanish. This inscription honors his contributions to Mexico.
Benito Juarez was president of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. He successfully defended his government. He fought against the French. He opposed the Catholic Church. He battled military and conservative opponents. Juarez is remembered as a progressive reformer. He committed to defending democracy.
The Homenaje a Benito Juarez serves as a reminder. It reminds us of Juarez’s dedication. He dedicated himself to his country. His statue stands approximately 19 feet tall. It weighs about 3600 pounds.
Luis Sosa Villasenor and Luis Ortiz Macedo sculpted the statue. It is a replica of Enrique Alciati’s 1891 work. The original is in Juarez’s hometown, Oaxaca City.
Mexico gifted a statue of Benito Juarez to the U.S. in 1969. This was after the U.S. gifted Mexico a statue of Abraham Lincoln in 1966. This exchange strengthened ties. It honored leaders with shared hopes.
Juarez was born in San Pablo Guelatao. He was orphaned before age four. He primarily spoke Zapotec. He learned Spanish at age 12. He received his law degree in 1834. Abraham Lincoln is viewed with high regard in Mexico. He opposed the Mexican-American War. He supported Mexico’s fight against European invasions.
Both Lincoln and Juarez reformed and preserved their nations. Today, the Homenaje a Benito Juarez recognizes Mexico’s liberator. It represents leadership that transcended borders. It symbolizes the enduring legacy. This statue, this Homenaje a Benito Juarez, encapsulates a pivotal era. It forever immortalizes a leader who shaped Mexico’s destiny.