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Bayfront Park

Christopher Columbus

Vittorio di Colbertaldo
1952/92

Description

Bronze statue on a granite pillar. At the front a granite block with a bronze plaque.

Inscription(s)

Text above the bronze plaque:

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

At the plaque:

AUDACES FORTUNA JUVAT
----
HE DREAMED GREATLY:
HE DARED COURAGEOUSLY:
HE ACHIEVED MIGHTILY:
GUIDED BY THE HAND OF GOD:
HE GAVE US A NEW WORLD -
AMERICA
----
DEDICATED OCTOBER 12, 1953 A.D.

Below the plaque:

RE-DEDICATED OCT 12, 1992

Text on the back of this granite block:

COLUMBUS STATUE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF MIAMI BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY
SCULPTOR COUNT VITTORIO DE COLBERTALDO
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE QUINCENTENNIAL OF COLUMBUS DISCOVERY 1492-1992
THIS GRANITE MONUMENT IS A GIFT FROM THESE
GREATER MIAMI KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS COUNCILS
[list of councils].

Annotation

From the Columbus Day Regatta Page:

In 1952, a group of Miamians armed with $19 worth of postage stamps, a bronze statue created by an Italian Count and a lot of enthusiasm set out to honor Christopher Columbus.
The Italian Consul in Miami, Dr. J.M. Gaetani, organized the Citizens Committee, Inter American Observance, to erect a statue honoring Columbus in Miami's Bayfront Park. The City of Miami contributed the site but no funds, so Dr. Gaetani's committee began a lively fundraising mail campaign. Postage was much cheaper then -- and the $19 investment paid off nicely.
Count Vittorio de Colbertaldo of Rome was commissioned to create the 27 foot bronze of Christopher Columbus; it was unveiled on October 12, 1952 in Bayfront Park.