The Columbus Monument, known locally as the Mirador de Colom, is a 60-meter cast-iron column at the foot of La Rambla in Barcelona, built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition to honor Christopher Columbus. A statue of Columbus tops the column, his arm famously (if inaccurately) said to point toward the New World.
An elevator inside the column carries visitors up to a small viewing gallery near the top, offering panoramic views back up La Rambla, across the harbor, and out toward Montjuïc. The lift ride and gallery are the main draw for anyone stopping beyond a photo at street level.
Ticketed access to the viewing gallery runs through the day with a small entrance fee; hours can vary somewhat by season and day of the week, so checking ahead is worthwhile. The monument sits right where La Rambla meets the port, making it an easy stop when walking the waterfront.
