Alana M.
Yelp
This monument was built in 1887. The statue is dedicated to the last Mexica ruler of Tenochtitlan, Cuauhtémoc. You can find it at the intersection of Avenida de los Insurgentes and Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City. You can safely walk across to get to the median and view this statue up close.
This monument was built, moved and then moved back to almost its original spot. The first stone was laid in 1878 and the last renovation was finished in 2004. This monument has been through quite a bit! The statue of Cuauhtémoc was created by 19th-century sculptor Miguel Norena.
Cuauhtémoc was the last Aztec emperor. Hernan Cortés unsuccessfully tortured him to force him to reveal the hiding place of the treasure of Moctezuma. It was a failed attempt. In the pedestal, there is a bas relief showing the Spaniards' torture of the emperor, which was having the soles of his bare feet slowly broiled over red-hot coals. Ouch! This monument also pays tribute to Cuitláhuac, Cacama, Coanacoch and Tetlepanquetzal.
The sculpture at the top of the pedestal is of Cuauhtémoc wearing ceremonial clothing including the plumed headdress and carrying a spear.
There are lights shining on this monument at night. They emit a pink-ish hue to the statue, so it's difficult to get a true color at night. I wished people would not deface these structures, but I guess not everyone appreciates or values them.
If you get a chance to walk around Mexico City, there are MANY monuments to see!! They are pretty cool to view!