Monument to Sebastián de Belalcázar, Bronze monument in Arboleda district, Cali, Colombia.
The Monument to Sebastián de Belalcázar is a bronze statue located on a hill in the western part of Cali. The figure stands with his right arm extended westward and his left hand gripping the Tizona sword.
The monument was created in 1937 by Spanish sculptor Victorio Macho to mark four centuries since Cali's founding. It was removed in 2021 during national protests and restored to its place in 2022.
The statue generates ongoing conversations about how the past should be remembered in the city. Indigenous communities and residents view its presence through different lenses based on their own histories and experiences.
The hilltop location offers views across different parts of the city and remains visible from various vantage points. Morning visits tend to be more pleasant, with better light and fewer crowds around the area.
The figure's right arm points deliberately westward, oriented toward the city's layout and growth. Many visitors pass by without noticing this intentional directional gesture that shapes the monument's symbolic meaning.
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