Columna de la Libertad de los Esclavos, Slavery memorial in central plaza of Ocaña, Colombia.
The Columna de la Libertad de los Esclavos is a stone and brick memorial standing in Ocaña's central plaza. Five rings encircle its base, symbolizing the five nations of the Bolivarian union in South America.
The monument was inaugurated on December 22, 1851, under President José Hilario López's decree abolishing slavery throughout Colombia. This date marked a legal end to an institution that had shaped the nation for centuries.
The column stands as a physical reminder of liberation from slavery in a place where many people pass through daily. It marks a turning point that affected countless lives and communities across the region.
The memorial is located at the center of Ocaña's main plaza, making it easy to find and access. Visitors can approach from any direction and spend as much time as they wish examining the structure and its details.
Three urns rest beneath the base of the column, holding historical documents from the liberation movement. Few visitors realize that this memorial contains actual artifacts related to the fight for freedom.
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