Angel of Independence

The Monument of Independence
Native name
Monumento a la Independencia, Ángel de la Independencia (Spanish)
LocationMexico City, Mexico
Coordinates19°25′37.1994″N 99°10′03.7554″W / 19.426999833°N 99.167709833°W / 19.426999833; -99.167709833
Elevation45 metres (148 ft)
Inaugurated byPorfirio Díaz
BuiltSeptember 16, 1910
Built forCentenary of Mexican Independence
RestoredSeptember 16, 1958
Restored byJosé Fernández Urbina
ArchitectAntonio Rivas Mercado
Gonzalo Garita
Manuel Gorozpe
Enrique Alciati (sculptures)
Architectural style(s)Corinthian column
Victory column
Governing bodyInstituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
Angel of Independence is located in Mexico City Central
Angel of Independence
Location in central/western Mexico City

The Angel of Independence, most commonly known by the shortened name El Ángel and officially known as Monumento a la Independencia ("Monument to Independence"), is a victory column on a roundabout on the major thoroughfare of Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City.

El Ángel was built in 1910 during the presidency of Porfirio Díaz by architect Antonio Rivas Mercado, to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence. In later years it was made into a mausoleum for the most important heroes of that war. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Mexico City, and it has become a focal point for both celebration and protest. It resembles the July Column in Paris, Nelson's Column in London, the Victory Column in Berlin and the Columbus Monument in New York City.