Monumento ao Dois de Julho, Independence monument in Campo Grande Square, Salvador, Brazil
Monumento ao Caboclo is a monument in Campo Grande Square in Salvador featuring a bronze Corinthian column on a Carrara marble pedestal with cast iron structural elements. Sculptural figures adorning the base tell the story of important battles and resistance against colonial power.
Inaugurated on July 2, 1895, the monument commemorates Bahia's struggle for independence through depictions of the battles of Funil and Itaparica against Portuguese forces. It became a lasting symbol of the region's drive to break free from colonial control.
The central figure depicts a native Brazilian warrior with bow, arrows, and spear, overpowering a dragon that represents Portuguese colonial rule. This imagery reflects how the local population saw their own identity and their struggle for independence.
The monument is easily accessible from Campo Grande Square and features interactive QR codes that visitors can scan with mobile phones to learn more about its historical significance. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when sunlight is gentler on the square.
Eight seven-meter-high gas lanterns surround the base of the monument, handcrafted by Italian artist Giuseppe Michelucci in 1891. These decorative pieces originally functioned as working lamps that illuminated the square at night.
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