Statue of Christopher Columbus

The Statue of Christopher Columbus is an eight-foot bronze figure in Hartford depicting the navigator holding papers in his hand. The figure stands atop a pink granite base decorated with wave patterns that reference the ocean.

The statue was commissioned by Italian-American groups in Hartford and created by sculptor Vincenzo Miserendino, being inaugurated on October 12, 1926. The chosen date marked Columbus Day, establishing the monument as a significant celebration of Italian immigration to the city.

The monument serves as a representation of Italian-American communities in Hartford and their contributions to the city's development. It reflects the maritime traditions and exploration heritage these immigrant groups brought to the region.

The statue is located at the Columbus Green intersection with Washington Street in downtown Hartford, making it accessible from several directions. The site is easy to reach and situated in an active area of the city center.

The dedication date was notably absent from the pink granite base when the monument was first completed and was not carved until 1973. This decades-long gap in the monument's inscription reveals an unusual chapter in how the piece was finished over time.