This statue was commissioned by UNICO, an Italian American organization, in 1984. It was moved from downtown Columbus Park to Marquette Park, the site of the annual Memphis Italian Festival. Since being relocated to the park, it has been vandalized twice and had received calls for its removal.
The 12-foot bronze statue depicts Columbus with a sword hanging from his left hip and his right hand over his brows, as if he is looking out yonder. The statue is perched upon a concrete pedestal and sits upon a map of the Mediterranean region made out of concrete. The makers used Google Maps to create an accurate layout of Italy and the surrounding islands. Visitors are encouraged to climb on and around the concrete pieces. You will also find cement/brick benches around the small plaza's perimeter with the names of donor's on it. A flag pole with the American and Tennessee flag on it and another flag pole with Italy's flag, serves as the backdrop to the plaza.
Additionally, the park has a lot of plaques, most of them look relatively new. Some of the plaques include the names of gold and silver sponsors, a dedication to Louis Franceschini, Jr, a WWII vet and UNICO supporter, facts about Columbus, Columbus quotes, and regions of Italy.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the statue it is located in a nice little plaza area and is well maintained my UNICO. The statue and it's associated plaza are well done and exudes Italian pride. I am not sure if there will come a day that this statue will succumb to the calls for its removal, but enjoy it while it is here. UNICO has been the savior of many other Columbus statues from across the country, including one that was decapitated in Waterbury Connecticut, and it has been their mission not to give in.
Anyway, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. Most victors of this statute will probably be visiting Marquette Park, in some capacity anyway, so that would be a great start to any itinerary that include a visit here. read more