Balbo Monument, Roman column monument in Burnham Park, Chicago, United States
Description
The Balbo Monument is an ancient green breccia column about 13 feet tall and 3 feet wide, set on a travertine limestone base in Burnham Park near Lake Michigan. The column came from the ruins of an ancient port at Ostia and shows visible signs of its age.
History
The column came from the ancient Roman port of Ostia and dates to around 117 AD. It was presented as a gift to Chicago by Mussolini in 1934 in connection with the 1933 World Fair.
Culture
The monument marks a historic moment when Italian seaplanes first crossed the Atlantic to reach Chicago during the 1933 World Fair. Today, visitors can read inscriptions on the column that tell the story of this aviation achievement.
Practical
The monument sits in Burnham Park right by the lake, making it easy to locate on foot. Walking along the waterfront promenade is the best way to reach it while enjoying the park's open spaces.
Did you know?
The column is one of Chicago's oldest outdoor artifacts, from a time long before the city was founded. It carries Italian inscriptions that mark its journey from ancient Rome to America.
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