Safu ya Ushindi, War memorial in Saint-Denis, Réunion
Safu ya Ushindi rises at the intersection of Avenue de la Victoire and Rue de Paris, topped with a soldier statue. The 14-meter-tall structure anchors the city center and forms a roundabout connecting several main thoroughfares.
The memorial was inaugurated in 1923 to commemorate soldiers from this French island territory who perished in World War I. Architect Auguste Bénard designed the structure as a tribute to those who died during the conflict.
The column stands as a central gathering place for official ceremonies and remembrance observances, especially during the annual November 11th commemorations. Residents and officials gather here to honor the fallen and mark the island's connection to France.
The memorial sits at a busy intersection where several main streets converge in the city center. Visitors can view the monument from multiple angles as they pass through downtown or observe the flow of traffic around it.
The base of the structure bears inscriptions listing the names of fallen soldiers from this French Indian Ocean island territory. These personal names make the historical significance of the place immediately tangible for visitors.
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