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Simon Bolivar Statue

Foggy Bottom, Washington DC

Simon Bolivar Statue Silhouette Framed by Branches

Monuments & Landmarks
Foggy Bottom, Washington DC

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.

Simon Bolivar Statue Washington DCSimon Bolivar MonumentSimon Bolivar MonumentSimon Bolivar Equestrian Statue in Washington DC with Blue Sky

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).

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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.


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

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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.

Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

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.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.

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      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Foggy Bottom
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About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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