Simon Bolivar Statue

There’s more than one commemoration of Simon Bolivar in Washington. This is the largest. It’s in a small park in front of the Department of the Interior building in Foggy Bottom.

Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan political leader and Latin American revolutionary who played a role in the liberation of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and, of course, Bolivia.

The bronze statue, formally titled Equestrian of Simón Bolívar, was unveiled in 1958 as a gift from the Venezuelan government. It was designed by Felix de Weldon, who also designed the Iwo Jima Memorial. It weighs 8 tons and is 27 feet from base to tip of the sword, making it one of the largest equestrian statues in the United States (although it’s still a lot smaller than the Iwo Jima Memorial). It was cast in New York and transported to Washington DC in 5 pieces.¹

Photos of the Simon Bolivar Statue

Simon Bolivar Statue with Interior Department Building

The large building in the background is the Department of the Interior headquarters.

Where is the Simon Bolivar Statue?

The Simon Bolivar statue is in Bolivar Park in downtown Washington DC, a block north of the National Mall and across from Constitution Gardens.

The nearest metro stations are Farragut West (0.7 miles) and Foggy Bottom (0.8 miles).

Taking Photos at the Simon Bolivar Statue

There’s unrestricted access day and night to the statue and no problem using a flash or tripod. The statue is not lit at night.

Commercial shoots and filming may require a permit.

James M. Goode, Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 198-99. ↩

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2019

Ford, Elise Hartman (Author)
English (Publication Language)

Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet (Author)
English (Publication Language)

Top 10 Washington, DC: 2019 (Pocket Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness (Author)
English (Publication Language)

DK Eyewitness Family Guide Washington, DC (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness (Author)
English (Publication Language)

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.