Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara

A statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare (colloquially known as La Minerva), is installed in a roundabout fountain. It is a bronze sculpture supported by a large pedestal that names 18 notable citizens of the city. The statue has indigenous facial features and holds a spear and a shield. The phrase "May justice, wisdom and strength, guard this loyal city" is engraved as well. Initially, the statue was criticized by the citizens, but since then it has become a symbol of the city.

A landmark of the city, the statue was built between 1956 and 1957, requested by the governor of the state, Agustín Yáñez. The statue represents the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, Minerva. Yáñez wanted Guadalajara to be recognized as the "Athens of Mexico". It was unveiled on 15 September 1957. The project cost Mex$1,250,000 of which $75,000 went to Arias.

It is a bronze sculpture created by Joaquín Arias and Pedro Medina Guzmán, who cast it in Aguascalientes, and the architect was Julio de la Peña. Minerva features a Late Roman ridge helmet and a goatskin aegis covers her breast. She holds a spear with her right hand and a shield with the left one. Her face has indigenous facial features as Arias modified the project, which originally requested a Greek figure. Arias modelled the statue on notable women of Jalisco that he had photographed. There is a rumor that says that Arias based on the face of Yáñez's wife.

The statue is 8 meters (26 ft) tall and weights 4.5 metric tons (4.4 long tons; 5.0 short tons). At her feet, the following slogan is written: "Justicia, Sabiduría y Fortaleza, custodian a esta leal Ciudad" (transl. May justice, wisdom and strength, guard this loyal city). The pedestal is 25 meters (82 ft) long and 3 meters (9.8 ft) high is inscribed with the names of 18 notable citizens.