Our angel
November 9th, 2009
Unlike many great metropolises, Mexico City, lacking much recognizable iconography, resists visual definition. The Angel of Independence, on Paseo de la Reforma, is its most famous landmark. Built in 1910 to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Independence, it is notably similar to the Victory Column in Berlin, which was built in 1866. The pillar is thirty-six meters high. The Winged Victory, which weighs seven tons, is of bronze and covered with twenty-four karat gold.
These days, in the evenings, the Angel is a popular spot for trysting young Mexico City lovers, and tourists stop by day and night to have their pictures taken. Raucous crowds gather here each time a Mexico City soccer team wins an important match. However, such celebrations are apparently purely nationalistic. In February 2002, after a triumphant eighteen-year-old Spanish matador called El Juli went to the Angel with a crowd to celebrate his victory, he was arrested, taken to the police station, and coerced to return to la madre tierra.
10 Responses to “Our angel”
By Jorge Pedro on Nov 9, 2009
yo no creo que el ángel de la independencia se parezca demasiado a la victoria de berlín. ambas son victorias y están sobre una columna, pero nada más. excelente post. saludos.
By shayne on Nov 9, 2009
I think that is kind of a sad story for the matador
By Robert on Nov 9, 2009
you should mention that this is the second angel since the first one fell off in the 1950′s
By Gary Denness on Nov 9, 2009
I think whilst the Angel is the most famous landmark in the city for the residents, internationally I’m not so sure. Most Brits could name Estadio Azteca, but wouldn’t know of the Angel’s existence.
Robert – the Angel that fell during the 57 earthquake, IIRC, was restored and still sits atop the column. There wasn’t a second angel.
By Judy on Nov 10, 2009
That is one of the unfortunate aspects of Mexican nationalism, which tends towards the childish and spiteful. El Juli certainly deserves his victory lap at the Angel. Assholes.
By Hugo on Nov 10, 2009
En un libro (de German Dehesa, creo) lei una pregunta.
¿El Angel esta “despegando” o esta aterrizando?
By Michael W on Nov 10, 2009
My list of distinctive visual iconography for DF would include the green & white VW beetle taxis, newspaper front pages with headlines & photos of slaughtered gangsters, and the large brown cloud that hovers above the city. I think it’s good that these are a more ephemeral & dispersed range of visual symbols rather than one famous building or statue.
By Dean E. on Nov 15, 2009
On my first visit to el D.F. my Mexican friends made a point of walking me to the angel and explaining how she was sort of like the USA’s Statue of Liberty in significance. I was awestruck by the beauty of the monument, but in a moment typical for a first-time visitor to the overwhelming metropolis, I looked down from the golden angel to see citizens at the street level crossing themselves in Catholic fashion before stepping into a crosswalk. This hit me as something I’d never seen elsewhere, and I didn’t know if it spoke to the dangers of the crazy auto traffic in the city, or the general religiosity of the Mexican people, and decided it was probably both. I suppose it’s true that she is D.F.’s best known icon, although prior to reading this entry I’d always assumed it was the Zocolo in general. It makes more sense that it would be the angel. She may be colonial in expression, but as she is an angel, she transcends the particulars of history as an enduring inspiration and reminder of Mexico’s winning spirit.
By Kim G on Nov 15, 2009
It’s also a very popular spot to take wedding photos.
And to Gary D. At least the head is new, since the fallen (and now smashed/flattened) original head sits in a museum in el Centro Historico.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we have a new-ish bridge which is quite iconic. Zakim is its name.
By Evelyn on Nov 20, 2009
aahh…apparently only the negative aspects of a most beautiful country and city pops into ones minds and not the significant quality it brings to it’s residents and tourist. Michael W. (nov.10) It’s apparent and unfortunate, those are the only thoughts and memories you carry around regarding this amazingly historical city and archeologically fascinating treasure, but there is a remedy – educate your self and open a book or travel!