Monumento a los heroes de El Polvorín, Historical obelisk in Plaza Las Delicias, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Monumento a los heroes de El Polvorín is a granite and marble obelisk standing in Plaza Las Delicias in Ponce, reaching about 20 feet tall. The structure features four sides with inscriptions that provide information about a historical event and the people involved.
The monument commemorates a fire in 1899 when firefighters and a civilian worked to secure a military ammunition depot and prevent explosions that could have damaged the city. The current structure was built in 1948 after the original was destroyed by an earthquake.
The monument honors people who risked their lives for their community, and displays the names of individuals who acted with courage. The plaza serves as a gathering space where locals remember those who went on to hold important positions in the city.
The monument stands in a public plaza where you can view all four sides of the obelisk and read the inscriptions. The location is easily accessible on foot and sits in central Ponce near other points of interest in the area.
The original monument was destroyed by an earthquake in 1918, revealing how the region had to contend with natural disasters. It was later rebuilt to preserve the same message, showing the community's commitment to remembering its heroes despite hardship.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.