Columbus Circle

The idea to erect a monument to Christopher Columbus in Syracuse came from a group of Italian-Americans. Initially the statue was to modeled after one of Columbus located in Florence, Italy, but this idea was later set aside. In 1928 a contest was organized to select a design for the monument. After a few years of deliberation, it was decided to build the monument at St. Mary's Circle between the courthouse and the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. The monument was finally built in 1932.