Statue of Christopher Columbus

The Statue of Christopher Columbus is a bronze figure on a granite base depicting a man in Renaissance clothing holding navigation instruments. The monument once stood in Byrd Park as a prominent landmark in the urban landscape.

The monument was commissioned by Richmond's Italian-American community and created by sculptor Ferruccio Legnaioli in 1927. It stood for nearly a century before being removed in 2020 following widespread social movements.

The monument served as a gathering place where Italian-American residents celebrated their heritage and cultural identity in the community. Its removal in 2020 reflected changing public perspectives on how cities remember historical figures.

The site where the statue once stood remains accessible through the paths of Byrd Park near the intersection of Columbus Boulevard and Confederate Avenue. Visitors can walk through this area to see the former location and understand the park's layout.

After its removal in 2020, local residents threw the statue into Fountain Lake, where authorities later recovered it for preservation. This dramatic moment reflects how deeply the monument had stirred emotions in the community.