Monument a Colom

Lonely Planet review

Centuries after he stumbled across the Americas, Columbus was honoured with this 60m monument, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1888. It looks like he's urging the tourists to go elsewhere, but you can catch a lift to the soles of his feet for a fine view.

In the 19th century it was popularly believed that Columbus was one of Barcelona's most illustrious sons, although it is now commonly accepted that he was born and raised in Genoa (that town's senior officials attended the inauguration of the monument). However, in 1998, a Catalan historian announced he had evidence to prove Columbus was in fact a Catalan, which would put the mockers on claims that a little cottage preserved in downtown Genoa is his birthplace. At any rate, Columbus died penniless and forgotten in 1506 in Valladolid, central Spain.