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Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan
Mexico City·Mexico·19° N · 99° W·Updated Apr 2026
An occupied roundabout on Reforma became Mexico City's feminist memorial, where purple steel, names, flowers, and protest signs keep history unsettled and alive.
A protest memorial standing on a colonial pedestal should feel unstable, and that is exactly why Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Ciudad De México, Mexico is worth your time. You come here to see how a traffic circle on Paseo de la Reforma turned into one of the capital's sharpest arguments about memory, grief, and power. Few places in the city speak so plainly. Fewer still keep changing while you stand there.
Documented records show that this roundabout first carried the 1877 monument to Christopher Columbus, commissioned by railroad magnate Antonio Escandón and sculpted by Charles Henri Joseph Cordier. The old stone base still stands there now, scarred where bronze figures once attached, so the past is not gone at all. It has been seized.
What draws people here is not beauty in the postcard sense. It is friction. Mothers of the disappeared, families of feminicide victims, Indigenous and Afro-Mexican activists, and feminist collectives turned an empty pedestal into a living memorial on 25 September 2021, then kept returning when officials tried to wipe away the names and the claim.
Come after seeing the grander old facades around the Ciudad De México center, even the polished tiles of Casa De Los Azulejos. Reforma sounds different here: traffic hisses, banners snap, and the stone seems to hold both accusation and refusal. This is not a monument that asks for admiration. It asks whether public memory belongs to the state or to the people who refuse to be erased.
Researched by the Audiala editorial team from historical records, architectural archives, and local expertise.
What to see
The Purple Antimonumenta on the Old Columbus Plinth
The shock here is formal: a 19th-century pedestal built for Christopher Columbus now carries a raised purple fist called Justicia, first installed by feminist activists on 25 September 2021 and recast in steel in March 2022. Walk all the way around it, not just to the front where everyone takes the photo, because the back support spells out "justicia" and the view only makes sense once you feel the traffic of Paseo de la Reforma pressing in from every side, loud as a permanent argument.
The Fences, Names, and Memory Garden
The fences are part of the work. Black metal panels around the roundabout carry hand-painted names, photos, poems, denunciations, and the tendedero de denuncias, while the Jardín Somos Memoria adds steel structures and mosaics with hundreds of remembered women, so the site reads less like a statue and more like a public archive rewritten by hand. Look closely at the lettering and tape, the paper curled by rain, the marigold traces when ofrendas appear in late October, the little repairs after weather or vandalism; that rough surface tells you more about Mexico City than polished stone ever could.
A Reforma Memory Walk
Come on a Sunday morning during Muévete en Bici if you can, when Reforma sheds much of its engine noise and the roundabout feels briefly closer to a plaza than a traffic knot. Start here, then keep walking along Paseo de la Reforma as a self-guided route through Ciudad De México: the point is not distance but contrast, from official monuments to anti-monuments, from polished nationalism to names written in paint and grief, until you understand that this glorieta is not an interruption of the avenue's story but the sentence that finally says what the boulevard was always trying not to say.
Plan your visit
Getting There
The roundabout sits at Av. Paseo de la Reforma 96 in Tabacalera, a 5 to 8 minute walk from Metro Revolución and close to the Reforma Metrobús corridor, so public transit is usually faster than driving through central traffic. From Monumento a la Revolución, the walk takes about 10 minutes along broad sidewalks; by car or taxi, use Paseo de la Reforma and ask for either Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan or the old name, Glorieta de Colón, because both still circulate.
Opening Hours
As of 2026, this is an open public memorial in the middle of Paseo de la Reforma, so you can pass by at any hour and no gate controls entry. The real limit is the city around it: marches on 8 March, 25 November, and other protest dates can bring fences, police lines, traffic closures, and dense crowds.
Time Needed
Give it 10 to 15 minutes if you only want to understand what you are seeing and read the memorial elements. Stay 30 to 45 minutes if you want to circle it slowly, notice the names, photos, flowers, and protest traces, then continue toward Monumento a la Revolución; on a demonstration day, you may spend far longer because the site becomes an assembly point first and a visit second.
Accessibility
Reforma offers wide sidewalks and curb cuts, so the approach is workable for wheelchair users and anyone avoiding stairs. The catch is ground texture: protest installations, temporary barriers, uneven paving, and crowd surges can turn a short crossing into something more like threading through a moving bus station, so quieter daytime visits are easier.
Cost/Tickets
As of 2026, visiting the Glorieta is free and no ticket, reservation, or audio guide is involved. Save your money for the neighborhood instead: coffee at Finca Don Porfirio or a meal around Plaza de la República makes more sense than hunting for paid extras that do not exist here.
Photo Gallery
A vibrant protest scene at the Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Mexico City, where activists gather beneath modern skyscrapers. · Comunicación wmmxA vibrant protest gathering at the Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Mexico City, set against a backdrop of modern architecture and a clear blue sky. · Comunicación wmmxProtesters gather at the Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Mexico City, a site dedicated to social activism and gender equality. · Comunicación wmmxThe Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan stands as a powerful symbol of protest and memory in Mexico City, contrasting historic stone with modern architecture. · Comunicación wmmxA bustling scene at the Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Mexico City, where urban architecture meets a lively public gathering. · Comunicación wmmxThe Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan stands as a powerful landmark in Mexico City, surrounded by modern architecture and a gathering of people. · Comunicación wmmxA participant holds a sign at the Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan in Mexico City during a vibrant public demonstration. · Comunicación wmmx
History
The Pedestal That Changed Sides
Documented records show that the roundabout began as part of the grand boulevard laid out in the 19th century and took its defining form in August 1877, when the Columbus monument was inaugurated on Paseo de la Reforma. The message was plain enough: Mexico City would present itself as European, orderly, Catholic, and open for business. Stone can make an argument.
That argument weakened over decades of protest, especially after anti-Columbus actions in 1992 and 1994, but the real break came on 10 October 2020, when city authorities removed the sculpture officially for restoration. The empty base, left behind like a tooth socket in the middle of the avenue, gave activists something rare in a capital of finished speeches: a chance to rename the city in public.
The turning point
María Herrera and the Day the Roundabout Refused Silence
Documented reports from 25 September 2021 describe feminist collectives and relatives of the disappeared climbing onto the empty pedestal and hoisting a purple figure into place. Among the women tied to the site's meaning is María Herrera Magdaleno, the searching mother of four disappeared sons, for whom this was never about symbolism alone. She needed a place where private grief could harden into public pressure.
What was at stake for Herrera was painfully concrete. If the capital's grand avenue could absorb the names of the missing and the murdered, then Mexico's most polished civic stage could no longer pretend those losses belonged somewhere else, somewhere poorer, somewhere easier to ignore.
The turning point came that same night, when city crews erased the new name and many of the painted names from the barriers. Instead of ending the action, the erasure clarified the stakes: this was no official tribute, politely inaugurated and left alone, but a memorial that would survive only if people kept returning to rewrite it. And they did.
Before the Occupation
Documented records show that businessman Antonio Escandón commissioned the Columbus monument in 1873 and that Cordier's sculpture arrived in Veracruz in December 1875 before its 1877 installation on Reforma. Even that older monument was less settled than it looked. Scholars still dispute the identities of some of the seated friars in the ensemble, which feels fitting for a monument that spent more than a century pretending certainty.
A Compromise You Can See
The city did not simply replace Columbus with this memorial. Documented events show a more awkward, more honest outcome: officials proposed Pedro Reyes's Tlali in September 2021, abandoned that plan, then unveiled La Joven de Amajac nearby on 23 July 2023 rather than on the old pedestal itself. Walk the site and you can read the compromise in stone and traffic lanes, official memory on one side, movement memory on the other.
Tips for visitors
Shoot Respectfully
Public photography is normal, but this is a memorial before it is a backdrop. Ask before taking close photos of mourners, activists, or anyone identifiable during a vigil or march, and skip drones unless you already know Mexico's AFAC rules.
Phone Away
Keep your phone in your pocket when checking directions near Metro and Metrobús crowds, especially on protest days. Distraction theft is the boring risk here, and the curbside map stare is practically an invitation.
Eat Nearby
Don't plan a meal at the roundabout itself. Go 10 minutes south-west toward Plaza de la República: Finca Don Porfirio works for budget coffee, La Soldadera is an easy mid-range stop, and Terraza Cha Cha Chá or Arango make sense if you want the Monumento view and don't mind splurge prices.
Pick Your Moment
Early afternoon gives you the clearest read of the site because the memorial materials, purple steel figure, and handwritten traces are easier to see in full daylight. Avoid 8 March and 25 November unless you want the political life of the place at full volume, with road closures and heavy police presence.
Pair The Walk
This stop works best as part of a civic-memory walk, not as a stand-alone detour. Combine it with Monumento a la Revolución and the Museo Nacional de San Carlos, both close enough to reach on foot without breaking the rhythm of the neighborhood.
Read The Mood
Dress for the day you arrive, not for a glossy Reforma photo. If a vigil, women-only contingent, or memorial action is forming, give it room and do not treat the names, crosses, poems, or clotheslines of denunciation like set dressing.
Where to Eat
local_dining
Don't Leave Without Trying
Pozole—a rich, slow-cooked stew of hominy and pork, served with toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, and limeTacos al pastor—marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, served with pineapple and corn tortillasChiles rellenos—roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, covered in egg batter and mole sauceMole negro—a complex, labor-intensive sauce with chocolate, chiles, and dozens of spicesEnchiladas verdes—corn tortillas rolled with chicken, topped with green salsa and cremaCarnitas—slow-cooked pork shoulder, crispy outside and tender insideChurros with hot chocolate—fried pastry paired with thick, rich chocolate for dippingTamales—corn dough filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, steamed in corn husks
La Penúltima
local favorite
Bar & Cocktails€€star4.9(359)directions_walk~1.5 km south of Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan
Order: Their signature cocktails and mezcal selection are what locals come for—order whatever the bartender recommends based on your mood, not the menu.
This is where the Juárez neighborhood crowd actually drinks. Nearly 360 reviews at 4.9 stars means this isn't a tourist trap—it's a genuine local bar with craft cocktails that respect Mexican spirits without being pretentious about it.
Bar & Mexican Cantina€€star4.7(3135)directions_walk~2 km northwest of Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan
Order: The cantaritos (traditional Jalisco-style drinks served in clay pots) are the reason to come—order a round and let the place's energy carry you through the evening.
Over 3,000 reviews make this a Mexico City institution. It's loud, it's packed, and it's exactly what you want when you crave the spirit of Jalisco without leaving the capital—no pretense, just good drinks and better company.
Caf退star5.0(46)directions_walk~1.5 km south of Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan
Order: Specialty coffee drinks and whatever pastry they have fresh that morning—this is a spot where quality matters more than volume.
Perfect 5-star rating with a tight review count means this is a neighborhood gem that doesn't need hype. Juárez locals know it; tourists rarely stumble here. Ideal for a serious coffee break before or after exploring the Glorieta.
Bar & Casual Dining€€star5.0(82)directions_walk~1.5 km south of Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan
Order: Their pies and small plates—follow their Instagram for specials and what's available on any given weekend.
A tiny, hyper-local spot in Juárez with a perfect rating and a cult following. Open weekends only, which means they're selective about what they serve and when. This is the kind of place where every detail matters.
checkThe Juárez neighborhood (where three of these restaurants sit) is walkable and safe during the day and early evening—stick to main streets like Atenas and Versalles after dark
checkCash is king at most local bars and casual spots; card payment is less reliable at smaller establishments
checkTipping culture in Mexico City: 10–15% is standard at sit-down restaurants; at bars, round up or leave small change
checkDinner service typically starts at 7:00 PM; many locals eat late (9:00 PM or later), so arriving early means quieter, less atmospheric service
Food districts:Juárez—historic, walkable neighborhood with boutique bars, cafés, and local restaurants just south of the GlorietaTabacalera—slightly northwest, known for cantinas and traditional drinking cultureChapultepec & Paseo de la Reforma—upscale dining and waterfront restaurants, a short ride from the GlorietaRoma Norte—trendy, bohemian neighborhood with independent cafés, taquerías, and experimental restaurants (short metro ride)
Restaurant data powered by Google
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Frequently asked
Is Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a place that tells you something real about Mexico City right now. This is less a monument than a public argument written in purple steel, painted names, flowers, and protest paper. Give it a stop if you care about memory, feminism, or the way Paseo de la Reforma keeps getting rewritten from below.
How long do you need at Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan?
Plan on 20 to 40 minutes. The roundabout itself is compact, but the point is to circle it slowly, read the names on the fencing, look at the back of the sculpture where "justicia" appears, and notice how the old Columbus pedestal still carries the new memorial. If you visit on a march day, you could stay much longer.
How do I get to Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan from Ciudad De México?
If you're already in central Ciudad de México, the easiest move is Metro, Metrobús, or a short taxi ride to Paseo de la Reforma 96 in Tabacalera. The site sits on Reforma near Monumento a la Revolución, so it connects easily with the central corridor. On protest days, walking the last stretch is often faster than sitting in traffic that crawls like a parade with no music.
What is the best time to visit Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan?
Sunday morning is the calmest and smartest time. During Muévete en Bici, Reforma feels far less aggressive, and the roundabout reads more clearly when bikes replace a stream of cars. If you want the site at full political voltage, go near 8 March or 25 November, but expect crowds, chants, road closures, and a very different mood.
Can you visit Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan for free?
Yes, it's completely free. This is public space, not a ticketed museum, and there is no entry fee. Bring respect instead of a wallet, because the names, photos, crosses, and denunciations are memorial material, not street décor.
What should I not miss at Glorieta De Las Mujeres Que Luchan?
Don't miss the old stone pedestal, the painted names on the fences, and the word "justicia" on the back of the purple figure. Those details show the whole story at once: a 19th-century Columbus base taken over by a feminist antimonument on 25 September 2021. Walk the perimeter, because the fences are part of the memorial, not leftover hardware.
Sources & attribution81
Researched and written by the Audiala editorial team from historical records, architectural archives, and local expertise. Last updated April 2026.
Mexico City Tourism — Official venue entry with location and current civic framing of the Glorieta.
Metrobús CDMX — Technical sheets showing station naming and persistence of the older Glorieta de Colón label in some materials.
El País — Route and assembly details for the 2026 8M march using the Glorieta as a gathering point.
SECGOB CDMX — Official note on the 10 October 2020 removal of the Columbus monument and historical background on the old ensemble.
La Jornada — Report on the 2020 removal of the Columbus statue from Reforma.
Animal Político — Coverage of the 2020 removal of the Columbus monument before planned protests.
DW — International report on the Columbus statue removal and protest context.
Jefatura de Gobierno CDMX — Official announcement of Pedro Reyes's proposed Tlali replacement for the roundabout.
AWARE — Essay on feminist monumental interventions in Mexico, including the Glorieta's transformation.
Jefatura de Gobierno CDMX — Official note on receiving more than 5,000 signatures advocating a monument to Indigenous women.
Capital 21 — Coverage of the Indigenous women signature campaign tied to the monument debate.
Glorieta de las mujeres que luchan (Paseo de la Reforma) 12 — Luisalvaz — CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) — Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glorieta_de_las_mujeres_que_luchan_(Paseo_de_la_Reforma)_12.jpg
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