Statue of Christopher Columbus

The Statue of Christopher Columbus is a marble monument near Little Italy in Baltimore, depicting the explorer facing east along Eastern Avenue. The figure holds a rolled map in one hand and rests the other on a globe.

The monument was dedicated to Baltimore in 1984 by Italian American Organizations United of Maryland, with President Ronald Reagan attending the ceremony. This installation marked a significant moment in the Italian American community's recognition within the city.

The monument displays six bas-reliefs on its hexagonal base showing Columbus's ships, his birthplace in Genoa, and encounters with indigenous peoples. These carvings reflect how the Italian American community chose to remember this historical figure and the voyages that shaped their cultural narrative.

The monument sits along Eastern Avenue near Little Italy, a neighborhood filled with Italian businesses and restaurants that make it easy to explore on foot. Visitors can combine a visit to the statue with a walk through the surrounding area to experience the local character.

The marble monument was removed by protesters in 2020 and submerged in the Inner Harbor before being recovered from the water. The statue broke into three pieces during recovery, prompting the Italian American community to consider creating a replacement in a more secure location.