Columbus Circle is one of the major plazas of the city.  Named in honor of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish seafarer of Italian birth who opened up America to Europeans in 1492.In the very center of the circle rises a monument to the famous Genoese sailor, erected in 1892 for the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the New World.  The monument is the 21 meter granite rostral column on the top of which is a marble statue of Christopher Columbus.  100 years later for the 500th anniversary the monument was restored with a circular plaza and attractive fountains.At the entrance to Central Park where we returned from the opposite side is located another famous monument - the USS Maine National Monument - dedicated to the sailors of the battleship USS Maine blown up and sunk in 1898 in Havana Harbor with the death of 266 sailors.  The sinking of the Maine precipitated the Spanish american War.On a large pedestal is a golden triumphal chariot with three sea horses driven by Columbia, symbolizing dominion of the seas.  It is believed that the bronze figures were forged from the weapons of the sunken ship.  Below on each side,  the monument is surrounded by allegorical figures representing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, war and victory, peace, courage, perseverance and justice.At Columbus Circle there is a point called the zero kilometer point from which all distances in New York are calculated.The world famous sky-scraper Time Warner Center is at the edge of Columbus Circle. In this building the staff offices of CNN and the International Trump Hotel are located.  In front of the hotel there is a large stainless steel globe which can be seen from quite a distance.Photo Flying above Columbus Circle New York City by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0