Monumento a la Independencia

This beautiful monument commemorates the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence, which over the course of time has become a symbol of the city itself. A golden statue of Winged Victory, affectionately referred to as El Ángel, crowns a tall Corinthian column sculpted by Antonio Rivas Mercado and erected in 1910. Beneath its pedestal lie the skulls of some of the main protagonists of the Mexican independence movement, honored by an undying votive flame. Four figures sculpted in Carrara marble sit at the four corners of the base of the column representing peace, war, law and justice. A lion stands among them, crowned with laurels. The statues of war heroes stand at the base of the column.