Equestrian statue of José de San Martín, Bronze equestrian statue in Plaza San Martín, Lima District, Peru
This bronze monument depicts a mounted general in a commanding pose, sculpted by Spanish artist Mariano Benlliure and positioned as the focal point of the plaza. The composition emphasizes the figure's authority, with the horse and rider dominating the open square around it.
The monument was unveiled in 1921 to mark the centennial of Peru's independence declaration. It commemorates the general who led military campaigns that freed multiple South American nations from Spanish colonial rule.
The statue honors a military leader whose role in Peru's break from Spanish rule remains central to how Peruvians understand their national story. Visitors walking through the plaza can see how the city chooses to remember this period through public monuments.
The plaza is centrally located in Lima and easily reached on foot from the Historic Center, situated at a main intersection with clear visibility. The site is accessible during daylight hours and is regularly crossed by pedestrians moving through the city.
The sculpture displays refined details in how the horse is rendered, revealing the technical skill of its Spanish creator in capturing movement and form. These craftsmanship qualities become apparent to visitors who take time to examine the bronze work closely.
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