“The Nation to the Heroes of Independence” declares the inscription. Right before us stands El Ángel, more formally known as the Monumento a la Independencia. This victory column isn’t just a pretty landmark. It’s a powerful symbol etched into the heart of Mexico City.
The obelisco you see before you has become a focal point. It is used for both national celebration and political protest. Its design echoes other famous columns. Think of the July Column in Paris or Nelson’s Column in London.
President Porfirio Díaz ordered its construction in 1900. He wanted to commemorate the centennial of Mexico’s War of Independence. Antonio Rivas Mercado designed a column. It blended classical and modern elements. Bronze statues would adorn its base.
The foundation stone was laid on January 2, 1902. A gold chest was placed within it. It held a record of independence and coins from that era. Disaster struck in May 1906. The monument’s sides collapsed when 2400 stones were placed up to a height of 25 m. The foundations were deemed poorly planned.
A commission was formed. Engineers and architects restarted the work. They were under the supervision of a steering committee. All sculptures were entrusted to Italian artist Enrique Alciati. One of Rivas Mercado’s daughters served as the model for one of the faces on the doors.
The obelisco was finally completed for the centennial festivities in 1910. President Díaz inaugurated it on September 16. This was the 100th anniversary of the Grito de Dolores. Thousands of Mexican soldiers and foreign military forces marked the occasion.
Look at the base of the obelisco. Each corner boasts a bronze sculpture. They represent law, war, justice, and peace. Originally, nine steps led to the base. Due to the sinking ground, fourteen more steps have been added.
Notice the bronze statue of a lion guiding a child. Rivas Mercado said it symbolizes the Mexican people. Strong during war and docile during peace.
The column itself soars 36 meters high. It is made of steel covered in quarried stone. Garlands, palms, and rings with names of Independence figures decorate it. A staircase with two hundred steps winds inside. It leads to a viewpoint offering panoramic views.
Crowning the obelisco is a statue of Nike. She is the Greek goddess of Victory. Enrique Alciati created this 6.7-meter-tall bronze figure. It is covered with 24k gold. The Angel holds a laurel crown in her right hand. She extends it symbolically over Miguel Hidalgo and the nation. This symbolizes Victory. In her left hand, she holds a broken chain. Its three links represent freedom from three centuries of Spanish rule.
In 1925, the remains of heroes of the Mexican Independence were interred in a mausoleum. It is under the obelisco.
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is here. He was the chief instigator of independence. Father José María Morelos y Pavón is also interred here. He was a skilled general. Ignacio Allende is here, too. He was a lieutenant general of the insurgent army.
An eternal flame honoring these heroes was installed in 1929. It continues to burn brightly at the base.
The obelisco suffered damage during a 1957 earthquake. The Winged Victory fell and broke. José Fernández Urbina restored it. The monument reopened in 1958. It survived the devastating 1985 earthquake.
Visitors can enter the monument. They can view the memorial plaques. They can climb to the top of the tower. The climb is arduous, about 200 steps. The staircase is narrow. It is circular. But the view from the top is worth it. You’ll see the wide avenues stretching out before you.
Today, the Ángel remains a gathering place for Mexico City inhabitants. It is a site for celebration and remembrance. The obelisco stands tall. It symbolizes the enduring spirit of Mexico.