Monuments Tour (Self Guided), Detroit

Detroit is known for having many monuments and statues to great personalities that are scattered across the city.

Did you know that the monument commemorating the “freedom fighter for two continents”, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, is actually replica of the monument standing by Wawel castle in Krakow, Poland? Another featured military figure, Gen. Alexander Macomb, was a hero in the War of 1812 and longtime 19th century military leader in Detroit.

Flanked by bows of ships on either side, the monument to Christopher Columbus was dedicated in 1910, and was a gift from the readers of an Italian newspaper in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus' death.

Contrasting these male figures is a 11-foot bronze sculpture crafted by local artist, Giacomo Manzu, which depicts his wife as a nude ballet dancer, standing on point with her hands sensually uncoiling her hair above her head.

Similarly, the Russell A. Alger Memorial Fountain in Grand Circus Park features a bronze statue of a woman about 7 feet tall wearing a headdress and a flowing gown and carrying a sword and a shield that bears the state seal. She is the bronze personification of the state of Michigan!

Take our self-guided tour to explore these and other unique monuments and statues in Detroit.