Plaza de Colón Madrid

Julia and a one-legged man

Andrea from Madrid

"Plaza de Colón"in Madrid doesn't just feature Christopher Columbus' statue — find the towering, serene Julia and the statue of 'half-man' Blas de Lezo."

Plaza de Colón (which is Spanish for Columbus — you can see him there, on top of his pillar) is an important junction in the centre of Madrid. Although the celebration of Cristóbal Columbus's "discovery" of the Americas is now recognised as politically incorrect, the memo didn't reach Spain, so for now, you can still visit this anachronistic festival of Hispanidad. This monument dates from 1892.

Julia, the serene, towering snowy-white head by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, at 12m tall dwarfing Columbus, is for some equally divisive. Personally, I adore her — she won’t be there forever, so catch her while you can.

In front of Colón are the Jardines de Descubrimiento, or Gardens of Discovery. Explore them and discover a few surprises, including a statue of Admiral Blas de Lezo, the scourge of the British Navy. He was known as the "half-man" after losing an eye, an arm and a leg in battle. Unveiled in 2014, it may seem strange to be commemorating an 18th-century hero, but his efforts could be seen as the reason why Spanish and not English is spoken in South America.

Don’t miss out on the nearby Fundación Mapfre while you're there.

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Madrid Spotter Andrea

About Me I am a teacher and examiner who made a home in Madrid many years ago. I love live music, art, books, travel, food and dancing and am well served for all my interests in Madrid. I live on a special plane where I exist as an eternal tourist (check out Alain de Botton’s book The Art of Travel) who maintains a sense of wonder in a familiar place. I love showing people round my favourite spots in Madrid but am never happier than when I am discovering new gems. Why Madrid Madrid seduced me when I first visited, with its untamed and unapologetic Spanishness. We came ...

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Plaza de Colón

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Nov 17, 2025

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