Letras de Ponce, Urban monument at PR-52 and PR-10 intersection in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Letras de Ponce is a large monument at the intersection of PR-52 and PR-10, consisting of five oversized red and black letters that spell out the city's name. The letters are each about 20 feet (6 meters) tall and 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide, positioned prominently along the expressway.
The monument was completed in 2004 following a design competition that attracted 318 submissions from various artists. The winning design came from sculptor Carlos Rivera Villafañe.
The monument has become a symbol that defines Ponce for people passing through or driving by on the expressway. Visitors immediately recognize the large red and black letters as connected to the city's identity.
The monument sits along a busy expressway and is best viewed from a vehicle, though it can be accessed from a nearby parking area if you want to approach it on foot. The structure undergoes regular maintenance and repainting to keep it in good condition.
The monument is made from marine steel, a material typically used in shipbuilding that can withstand the harsh expressway environment. This material choice allows the structure to resist severe weather conditions without deteriorating quickly.
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