The monument to Christopher Columbus, “The Birth of the New World” in Puerto Rico work of the Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, is scheduled to open in 2016, according to RIA “Novosti” .
The construction of 126-meter-high monument is in the town of Arecibo, on the northern coast of the island, where, presumably, the traveler has landed on his second voyage in 1493.
“We plan to complete installation by the end of this year”, – he told the agency the grandson of the famous artist Zurab Makharadze, who oversees construction. According to him, the opening of the monument is expected in 2016.
The monumental project was conceived in honor of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. In 1995, the Spanish Seville, where the expedition started to distant shores, a monument was unveiled Tsereteli “birth of a new man.” The second part of the composition, according to the artist, was to become a monument to “The Birth of the New World,” on the other side of the Atlantic.
Nearly 2.5 thousand pieces of bronze weighing over 600 tons were cast in St. Petersburg and transported across the ocean. About ten years the sculpture was in Puerto Rico unassembled. The government of Puerto Rico supported the project, but the place provided for the construction immediately. Later, the land allocated under the monumental complex of Puerto Rican businessman.
Local media first warily accepted the idea of erecting a sculpture on the coast to see the monument to the high risk to small aircraft. After obtaining official permission for the construction and removal of all questions relating to safety at the end of 2010 on the site in Arecibo construction work began.
To date, all the details are transferred to the installation site, the foundation is ready, completed the construction of 40-meter pedestal, is lining brass fittings. “Installation and operation of copper by specialists from St. Petersburg”, – said the architect of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Alexander Mirianashvili. It is also working on building local workers. Overall, more than 400 Puerto Ricans provided with work due to large-scale project.
According Mirianashvili, the foundation is almost one third of the height of the whole monument. “When designing adapt to the local weather, in particular – the probability of a tsunami” – he said.
“From Arecibo Columbus will be visible to all ships and cruise liners arriving from Europe to America,” – Makharadze said. The height of the statue of the discoverer of the New World is 26 meters. The entire monument will be the largest in the US. American symbol – Statue of Liberty – rises to 93 meters with the pedestal.
According to the presented project, bronze wave endure on a pedestal like a ship with spread sails, which stands at the helm of Columbus. “The ship will also be viewing platform,” – said Makharadze.
“Inside the pedestal is now also works on equipment stairs, elevators and even the toilet for tourists,” – he said.
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