Statue of Simón Bolívar, Bronze monument in Belgrave Square, England
Simón Bolívar appears in military dress, striking an oratorical pose on a stone base decorated with bronze heraldic shields. The sculpture occupies the southeast corner of Belgrave Square and represents the six nations he helped free from colonial rule.
The monument was unveiled in 1974 by James Callaghan and Venezuelan president Rafael Caldera as a tribute to South American independence movements. It marked a moment when Britain sought to strengthen ties with Latin American nations.
The inscriptions on the base list six Latin American countries whose people see Bolívar as central to their national origins. Visitors from these regions often pause at the monument to reflect on the founding moments of their own nations.
The statue sits at the southeast corner of Belgrave Square with easy access via multiple transit options throughout the City of Westminster. The open setting makes it possible to view the bronze work from multiple angles and distances.
Unlike other Bolívar statues across Europe, this one shows him standing upright as a speaking statesman rather than mounted on horseback. The choice emphasizes his role as a constitutional reformer and leader rather than purely as a military conqueror.
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