El Caballito, Bronze equestrian statue in Plaza Manuel Tolsá, Mexico City, Mexico
El Caballito is a bronze equestrian statue on Plaza Manuel Tolsá in Mexico City, Mexico. The figure shows Charles IV of Spain seated on a rearing horse, with a raised staff in his right hand, while the rider's body leans slightly back and the animal lifts its front hooves into the air.
Manuel Tolsá created the sculpture between 1796 and 1803 during the late colonial period as a tribute to the reigning Spanish monarch. The monument was relocated several times after Mexico's independence and eventually found a permanent home in front of the National Museum of Art.
Though the sculpture originally depicted the Spanish king, it survived political upheaval thanks to its artistic quality and is now appreciated for its craftsmanship rather than its royal subject. Mexicans affectionately call it El Caballito, meaning "the little horse," and this friendly nickname has replaced the official title in everyday conversation.
The monument stands in the central square in front of the National Museum of Art in the historic center, where it can be viewed freely from all sides. The Palace of Mining is nearby, and together with the square they form an easy walking route through colonial architecture in the old city.
Weighing around 26 tonnes, the sculpture ranks among the largest freestanding bronze casts in the world and represented an extraordinary technical achievement for its time. Tolsá designed not only the figure but also the original pedestal, which had to account for the overall weight and balance of the work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
