Colonne de la république, Victory column at Place des Palmistes, Cayenne, France.
The Colonne de la République is a cast iron column standing in the center of Place des Palmistes, with a Marianne bust and Latin inscriptions covering its four sides. The structure displays classical architectural design and serves as a central reference point in Cayenne's main public square.
Built in 1890, the monument was erected to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and the end of absolute monarchy in France. This moment of significant social change was later memorialized in Cayenne through the construction of this column.
The inscriptions Pax, Lux, and Jus on the column's sides represent peace, light, and justice as core values in French society. Walking around the monument, visitors can read these words and understand the ideals this place was built to commemorate.
The monument is located on Place des Palmistes, Cayenne's main square, and is easy to reach on foot. The open layout of the square offers clear views of the column from all directions.
The bust crowning the column is not what was originally planned: due to supply difficulties, a modified sculpture of Charlotte Corday was used instead. This unexpected substitution is a historical quirk that few visitors notice.
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