Columbus Monuments in Mexico City

Mexico City was the only city known to have two statues of Cristopher Columbus. The
monuments were both 19th-century statues placed within walking distance of each other – in
Paseo de la Reforma and Calle Buenavista, in the heart of Mexico City. Given its visibility and
position in a heavily trafficked street, the Paseo de la Reforma statue was the subject of mu
controversy. Ostensibly removed in 2020 to conduct restoration works, the monument was not
brought back to its original place – instead, it will be replaced by a new statue dedicated to
pre-Hispanic Women and relocated to a museum. The much less prominent Columbus statue in
Buenavista was instead protected with high metal barriers to prevent it from being damaged, but
it was not removed, and no plans were announced regarding a potential substitution with another
art piece.