This monument, which is located in one of the roundabouts on Paseo de la Reforma, began its history in the time of Emperor Maximilian’s rule, when his father in law, King Leopold I from Belgium, decided to donate a sculpture of Christopher Columbus to Mexico, so they could build a monument to this important character. Said project would be constructed by the architect Ramón Rodríguez Aragoity and would contain sculptures made by Manuel Vilar, nevertheless, the project was cancelled because of political problems in the country and the death of the emperor after the triumph of the liberals.

Later, the magnate Antonio Escandón reconsidered the project and solicited its construction to the President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada, who appointed the French sculptor Henri Joseph Cardier for its completion.

The monument is composed by the sculpture of Christopher Columbus and the base upon which it stands, as well as two stone carvings called “Landing of Christopher Columbus” and “The Founding of the Church”. Another four sculptures stand on the base, they represent the first missionaries of the American continent: Friar Antonio de Marchena, Friar Pedro de Gante, Friar Diego de Ordaz and Friar Bartolomé de las Casas.

This monument is located in the place where Maximilian of Hapsburg had intended it to be originally and was inaugurated in 1877.