Mirador Colón - Barcelona Columbus monument & viewpoint

About Mirador Colón - Barcelona Columbus monument & viewpoint

The Barcelona Christopher Columbus monument, known as Mirador de Colón is a 60m tall cast-iron column supporting a statue of Christopher Columbus and was constructed for the 1888 Universal Exhibition.

The Columbus monument was built to honour columbus' fist voyage to the Americas. On his return from the new world Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona.

The statue at the top depicts columbus pointoing towards the new world while holding a scroll. However the statue is not actually pointing west and many believe he is pointing towards his home town of Genoa. This is not true as the statue points south-southeast towards the Northern African Coastline. Most likely the statue is orientated this way to have him pointing out to sea.

Around the stone pedestal are statues of eight people related to Columbus and four figures that represent four realms of Spain: the Principality of Catalonia, and the kingdoms of Leon, Aragon, and Castile. The base has four staircases, each flanked by two lions.

The Christopher Columbus monument can be found in the Plaça del Portal de la Pau near to the Barcelona Maritime Museum in the Port Vell area of central Barcelona.

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Visiting Mirador Colón - Barcelona Columbus monument & viewpoint

An elevator inside the column takes visitors up to a viewing platform at the top just below the statue. To access the viewpoint take the narrow starcase down into the tourist information office located below the statue.

Torre Colombus Viewpoint opening hours

Monday to Sunday: 08:30h to 20:30h
Closed: January 1st & December 25th

What to take with you for Mirador Colón - Barcelona Columbus monument & viewpoint

The lift to the viewing platform is a confined space for 2 people only plus the lift operator so no large bags.

Pushchairs are impossible due to the size of the elevator. This is announced as apt for wheelchairs but I think it only includes the basement gift shop at the base of the tower.

There is no bicycle anchorage near to Torre Colom.

Mirador Colón - Barcelona Columbus monument & viewpoint Tickets

Explore the history of the Columbus Monument, built for the 1888 Exposición Universal de Barcelona to honour the explorer's first voyage to the Americas in 1492. Admire the bronze statues of the 4 winged victories at the base, and then ride the lift to the top of the 60-meter tall Corinthian column for some of the most breathtaking views of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, port, Montjuïc and Tibidabo hills.