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Mazatlán Monuments
Many artists and benefactors have contributed to beautiful and informative monuments throughout Mazatlán. This is our current list, there are no doubt others that we can include. If you are aware of one or more that we have missed, please let us know, and we will update this page.
Monument to the Fisherman (Monumento al Pescador)
The Monument to the Fisherman was created by Sinaloan sculptor Rodolfo Becerra Gómez and was inaugurated on November 20, 1958. Gómez's objective was to give pride to all Mazatlecos, and to capture the elements that symbolize everything that was in direct communion between the sea and Mazatlán.
The monument was located at an intersection marking the starting point of what was to become today's Malecón. Gómez initially named the monument "Marine Allegory", however, it was officially called "Monument to the Fisherman", and became popularly known in local slange as "Monos Bihis" (the lovely nudes).
The allegories inherent in the components of the monument are:
- The lighthouse representing the "lighthouse of life".
- The shell base representing the sea and so providing the storage for the monument's fountain.
- The woman representing the beauty of the sea.
- The man representing the work of the sea.
- The sailfish representing the sport of the sea.
- The dolphin and shark fighting representing the fierceness of the sea.
Pulmania Monument (Monumento a la Pulmonía)
The Pulmonia Monument is a tribute to the iconic open-air taxis that are a symbol of Mazatlán. The monument consists of a bronze sculpture of a pulmonia driver and his passengers, located on a roundabout near the Malecón. The monument was inaugurated in 2017 and celebrates the history and culture of the pulmonias and their drivers. Traditionally pulmonias have used a VW bug engine, but you will see a few newcomers on the streets of Mazatlán that use everything from a Nissan to an Audi engine. They will also vary a lot in style! Some will be totally open just like a golf cart with a bench seat, while others will more resemble cars with the roof cut off, designed with full doors and seatbelts. They have been operating in Mazatlán since 1965 and are a popular way to explore the city.
La Sirena Monument (Sirena de Mazatlán)
The La Sirena Monument, located on the Paseo Claussen promenade, is a bronze sculpture of a mermaid and a boy on a rock. The mermaid is known as La Reina de los Mares (The Queen of the Seas) and the boy is supposed to be Cupid, the god of love. The monument was created by Carlos Espino in 1984 and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The sculpture is surrounded by water and offers a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.
Benito Juarez Statue (Estatua Benito Juárez)
The Benito Juarez statue is a bronze sculpture of the former president of Mexico, who is considered a national hero for his role in defending the republic and promoting democracy. The statue is located on Paseo Claussen, nearby to the La Serina Monument. The statue depicts Juarez standing on a pedestal, holding a book and a scroll, symbolizing his contributions to education and law. The statue was inaugurated in 1976 and is one of the landmarks of Mazatlán.
Pedro Infante Monument (Monumento a Pedro Infante)
The Pedro Infante Monument is a tribute to one of the most popular Mexican actors and singers of the 20th century. It is located on the Malecón overlooking Olas Altas. The monument depicts Pedro Infante on a motorcycle, as he appeared in his 1951 film "A Todo Máquin". The monument was erected in 2004 and also commemorates Mazatlán's Motorcycle Week, an annual event that attracts thousands of bikers from around the world.
Fernando Valadés Monument (Monumento Fernando Valadés)
The Monumento Fernando Valadés is a statue of a famous Mexican composer, pianist, and singer who was born in Mazatlán on April 1, 1920. His full name was Fernando Teodoro Valadéz Lejarza, but he was better known as Fernando Valadéz. He composed many popular songs, such as "Amor de la calle" and "La noche de anoche". The statue was unveiled on October 30, 2013, and it shows him at a real scale, sitting on a bench and holding a sheet of music. The statue faces Playa Olas Altas, the beach where he used to play his piano. The monument is a tribute to his legacy and his connection to his hometown.
Mazatlán Woman Monument (Monumento a la Mujer Mazatleca)
The Mujer Mazatleca monument is a bronze statue of a woman holding her arms out to the city. It is located on the Malecón, just north of Olas Altas nearby to the La Cueva Del Diablo (Devil's Cave). The monument was unveiled on November 23, 1983 by its creator, Gabriel Ruiz. It is a tribute to the beauty and grace of the Mazatlán women, who are known for their charm and elegance. The statue is also a symbol of the city's connection to the sea and its maritime culture.
Little Deer Monument (El Venadito)
The Deer Monument is a bronze sculpture of a deer standing on a pedestal in the heart of Centro. It is located on the Malecón, and was created by sculptor Jorge Marin in 2013. It was erected in 1989 to commemorate the city’s founding, and was inaugurated by the mayor of Mazatlán. The deer is a symbol of the city, which is named from the Nahuatl word "mazatl", which means deer.The monument is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains, making it a great spot for taking photos or just relaxing.
Family Monument (Monumento a la Familia)
The Monumento á la Familia is a beautiful sculpture carved in bronze that depicts three human figures (two adults and a child) looking at the city of Mazatlán with hope for a new and promising century. It is a tribute to the family union and the values of love, respect, and solidarity. The sculpture is located on Avenida del Mar, at the northern end of the Malecón, and it offers a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and the city skyline. The Monumento á la Familia was inaugurated in 2000 by the then mayor Alejandro Higuera, and it is one of the most emblematic landmarks of Mazatlán. The artist, Antonio López Sáenz, a Mazatlán native who has become one of México's most prominent artists, donated his design for the monument to the people of Mazatlán.
Don Cruz Lizarraga Monument (Monumento a Cruz Lizarraga)
The Don Cruz Lizarraga Monument is a statue that honors the founder of the Banda el Recodo, the famous Mexican musical group. The statue is located in front of the Acuario Mazatlán, at the intersection of Avenida Cruz Lizarraga and Avenida de los Deportes. The statue depicts Don Cruz Lizarraga playing his clarinet, surrounded by musical instruments. The monument was inaugurated in 2003, on the 90th anniversary of his birth. It is a tribute to his legacy and contribution to the regional culture of Sinaloa.
The Mermaid Carpa Olivera (La Sirena Carpa Olivera)
The Carpa Olivera mermaid statue is a bronze sculpture of a woman with a dolphin tail that stands on the Malecón near the Carpa Olivera pool, a historic public swimming pool that was built in 1915 and renovated in 2015. It was created by Argentinian artist Rodrigo Becerra Rodríguez in 2004 and is also known as La Sirena Carpa Olivera or La Mujer Delfín (The Dolphin Lady). The mermaid statue is a symbol of the connection between the city and the sea, and a tribute to the women of Mazatlán who work as divers, fishers, and sailors. The statue is about 2 meters tall and weighs about 300 kilograms.
Sea Lion Monument (Los Lobos Marinos)
The Los Lobos Marinos monument is a sculpture of four sea lions on a rock that stands at the end of avenue De Los Deportes near the Mazatlán Aquarium. It was created in 2007 by César Luna Orozco to cover the pumps that bring seawater to the aquarium. The monument symbolizes the small island near the port where these marine mammals arrive every year. The sculpture is made of bronze and has a height of 4.5 meters.
Shield of Mazatlán (Escudo de Mazatlán)
The shield of Mazatlán (labeled as Escudo de Sinaloa on the map) is part of a monument, inaugurated in 2010, that honors the history and identity of the state and the city. It is located on the Malicón in the turn-around at the south end of Paseo Olas Altas. It consists of a large concrete and stone structure with mosaic depictions of the coat of arms of Sinaloa on one side, and of Mazatlán on the other side. The coat of arms of Mazatlán is a symbol of the city's history and culture. It consists of a shield surrounded by an anchor and two mermaids, one holding a mask and the other holding a book. The shield depicts a deer, which is the basis for the name of the city (the word "MAZATL" means "deer" in the Nahuatl language), two islands representing the islands along the city's coast, and an anchor, indicating the city's maritime importance. Above the shield, there is a sun with rays and a crab, symbolizing the tropical climate and the abundance of seafood.
Shield of Sinaloa (Escudo de Sinaloa)
The shield of Sinaloa is a monument, inaugurated in 2010, that honors the history and identity of the state and the city. It is located on the Malicón in the turn-around at the south end of Paseo Olas Altas. It consists of a large concrete and stone structure that features mosaics of the coat of arms of Sinaloa on one side, and of Mazatlán on the other side. The Sinaloa Mexico shield is a symbolic representation of the state's history, culture and territory. It has an oval shape that resembles a pitahaya, a fruit that gives the name to the state. The shield is divided into four sections that depict the cities of Culiacán, El Fuerte, El Rosario and Mazatlán, each with its own distinctive symbols and meanings. The shield is surrounded by human footprints and thorns, indicating the pilgrimage of the indigent populations that passed through the state. The date 1831 at the bottom of the shield marks the year when Sinaloa was recognized as a federative entity of Mexico. The eagle on top of the shield is a commemoration of the "State of the West", when Sinaloa and Sonora formed a single state between 1821 and 1831. The shield rests upon a base of rocks and is surmounted by the Mexican national emblem: an eagle devouring a serpent atop a Nopal cactus.
Monument to the Continuity of the Life (Monumento a La Continuidad de La Vida)
The Monumento á La Continuidad de La Vida is a beautiful bronze sculpture by the artist Pedro Jiménez Corona. It depicts a couple standing on a snail shell, admiring in front of them a school of dolphins in an attitude of jumping through the water. The water is provided by an illuminated fountain. The monument symbolizes the beginning, the end, and the balance of life, as well as the respect that must be given to nature and its creatures. The sculpture was built in 1993. It amazes locals and visitors alike with its illusion of movement.
Salvador Lizarraga Monument (Monumento Salvador Lizárraga)
The monument, unveiled June 27, 2015, honours Salvador Lizarraga, a clarinetist, one of the pioneers of Sinaloan banda music, and founder of La Original Banda El Limón formed in 1950 by Salvador Lizárraga. Lizárraga was born November 9, 1932 and died March 29, 2021. The sculpture was created by Oscar Ponzanelli.
José Ángel Espinoza Aragón Monument (Monumento a José Ángel Espinoza Aragón)
The Monumento a José Ángel Espinoza Aragón is a bronze statue that honors a famous Mexican singer-songwriter and film actor, also known as Ferrusquilla. He was born in Choix, Sinaloa on October 2, 1919 and died in Mazatlán on November 6, 2015. He composed many songs, such as "Echame a mi la culpa", and acted in about 80 films with national and international stars. Aragón was the father of actress Angélica Aragón and received many awards and recognitions for his artistic career. The statue is located on the Malecón near Olas Altas Beach. It shows Ferrusquilla standing with a guitar and tipping his cowboy hat, as if greeting his fans. The piece is set on a marble plinth about 7 feet high.
José Alfredo Jiménez Monument (Monumento a José Alfredo Jiménez)
José Alfredo Jiménez-Sandoval (19 January 1926 to 23 November 1973) was a Mexican singer-songwriter of rancheras, whose songs are considered an integral part of Mexico's musical heritage. He is most well known for his song "Corrido de Mazatlán". The monument was constructed by architect Javier Senosiain, husband to José Alfredo Jiménez’s daughter, Paloma Jiménez Gálvez. The statue, funded by businessman Pepe Quiroz, was unveiled 12 November 2020.
Pearl of the Pacific (Perla del Pacífico) Monument
The Pearl of the Pacific monument is a three-ton stainless steel sphere with 48 projectors that generate millions of colors, automatic ignition, and programming of colors alluding to holidays. It also includes a system to prevent glare. The monument is located at the intersection of Del Mar, Rafael Buelna, and Camarón Sábalo avenues. It was inaugurated by the Governor Quirino Ordaz Coppel and the Mayor Luis Guillermo Benitez Torres on October 15th, 2020. The monument was built to remind people that Mazatlán has been called "Pearl of the Pacific" for many years. The monument had an investment of 4.5 million pesos with resources from the Municipal Government.
Monument to the Baseball Player (Monumento al Jugador de Béisbol)
The Monument to the Baseball Player is located in front of the Hotel Playa Victoria on Avenue De Mar. It was designed by Antonio Lopez Sainz as a tribute to the baseball club, Mazatlán Venados (Deers), their fans, and their history. Venados de Mazatlán are a professional baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League based in Mazatlán. In 2016, the team won the Mexican Pacific League Championship and went on to win their second Caribbean Series, which was played in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Jacques Cousteau Sculpture (Escultura Jacques Cousteau) Monument
The Jacques Cousteau monument in Mazatlán is a tribute to the French marine biologist and explorer who was a pioneer in ocean conservation and research. The monument is a bronze bust of Cousteau that was installed on the Paseo Olas Altas, near the Carpa Olivera, in June 2022. The bust is pointing to the Sea of Cortez and the three islands of Mazatlán, which Cousteau called "the aquarium of the world" because of its rich biodiversity and natural beauty. The monument was originally located in the Central Park of Mazatlán, but it was relocated to the Malecón. The monument aims to honor Cousteau's legacy and inspire future generations to protect and appreciate the marine environment.
The Beatles Monument (El monumento a los Beatles)
The monument to the Beatles in Mazatlán is a work of art that pays homage to the famous British band that revolutionized music in the 70s. The monument represents the four members of the band crossing a street, in the style of the cover of their Abbey Road album. The monument is located in Liverpool Alley, in the Olas Altas area, in the Historic Center of Mazatlán. The monument was inaugurated on December 9, 2021, with the aim of attracting European tourism and offering a place full of culture and nostalgia to Beatles fans. The monument is part of an artistic-cultural corridor that also includes a replica of a British-style red car and a red telephone booth.
