Lorenzo Bartolini's Columbus Monument in Genoa

Christopher Columbus, who on October 12, 1492 set foot on one of the Bahama islands, must be one the historic persons with the largest number of monuments erected in his honor. The Dutch Columbus fan Peter van der Krogt has a webpage, where he has listed 590 Columbus related monuments in in different parts of the world.

Only in Genova (Genoa), the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, there are at least 20 monuments dedicated to the explorer. The Columbus Monument on Piazza Acquaverde is probably the most well known of them. Italian sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini began working on the monument in 1846, but the sculptor, who died in 1850, did never see it finished. Others continued his work, and the monument was finally inaugurated in 1862.


The photo of Bartolini's masterpiece shown here dates from the end of the 19th century.

The Mariner's Goddess monument in Helsingborg

The 19 meter high monument in the immediate vicinity of the Helsingborg ferry terminal.

Since 1923, the Mariner's Goddess (in Swedish Sjöfartsgudinnan) has been welcoming seafarers and other visitors arriving in Helsingborg. The monument by Sweden's internationally most renowned sculptor Carl Milles (1875 - 1955) was donated to the city by industrialist Malte Sommelius.

Originally Milles wanted to sculpt a sailing ship for the top of the column, but he changed his mind. Luckily, both the donor and the city officials had nothing against Milles's new proposal, a winged lady with a ship in both her hands.