Public Art
Juan Ponce de Leon or Ponce de Leon, born in 1460, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador (a conqueror, especially one of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century). He is said to be the first European to enter Florida back in 1513 when he was on an expedition in Puerto Rico and ended up on the coast of Florida between what is now St.Augustine and Melbourne Beach. “He named the region Florida because it was discovered at Easter time (Spanish: Pascua Florida) and because it abounded in lush, florid vegetation.” Afterwards, he explored the west coast of Florida and completed his search near Charlotte Harbor.
In 1521 Ponce de Leon returned to Florida with 2 ships and around 200 people, where they were later attacked by local Indians. Ponce de Leon was wounded and taken to Cuba where he later died.
This monument was made in 2005, in his honor for his visits back in 1513 and 1521. It was made by “The Royal Oder of Ponce De Leon Conquistadors” which “is an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Spanish heritage of Charlotte County and Florida.” The sculpture of Ponce de Leon is life size and full round. It has commemorative bricks around it. In the center, it has a circle with a low relief carving of Ponce de Leon’s head and the name of the organization that made the sculpture, around his head. Around the bricks are some fountains and decorative bushes right behind the fountains. Located in Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda, FL on Charlotte Harbor, it has a beautiful view in the background.
Works Cited:
bobclendenin.com/Conquistadors/Monument/Monument.htm
“Juan Ponce de León.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Updated 7 June 2019, britannica.com/biography/Juan-Ponce-de-Leon.
