Columbus Fountain, Memorial fountain at Union Station Plaza, Washington, United States
Columbus Fountain is a memorial fountain located at Union Station Plaza in Washington. The marble structure features a central standing figure atop a ship's prow base with sculptural elements and pathways surrounding the composition.
The monument was dedicated in 1912 following a design competition that drew artists from America, Italy, and Spain. This international competition resulted in the sculptural composition visitors see today.
The sculptural program tells a story through symbolic figures representing different worlds and their meeting. Walking around the base, you can observe how this encounter is expressed in the carved stone.
The fountain sits directly in front of Union Station at the center of a busy plaza accessible by Metro. The location is easy to reach and offers good views from all approaches.
Three flagpoles near the monument represent the three ships from the historical voyage, each topped with a bronze eagle perched on a globe. This detail often goes unnoticed by visitors passing through the plaza.
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