Birmingham
Vulcan, Giuseppe Moretti, 1904
Vulcan was first constructed for the Alabama exhibit of the St. Louis World Exposition of 1904 where it was awarded the Grand Prize for best exhibit in the mineral department of the fair. After the fair, the sculpture was shipped back to Birmingham in pieces. In the 1930s, Vulcan Park was created as a permanent home. Vulcan Park Foundation was formed in 1999 to raise money to restore Vulcan to his original glory. The pieces were sent to Robinson Iron and Steel that repaired (and in some cases recast) the statue - using original drawings from the artist Moretti. Vulcan is now painted gray - thought to be his original color. In 2003, all of Birmingham watched with anticipation as each piece of Vulcan was lifted onto the restored original pedestal.
Vulcan Park is not only home to the world's largest cast iron statue, it features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. A 10-acre urban green space surrounds the 56-foot-high statue and observation balcony that sits upon a 126 foot pedestal. Visitors to Vulcan Center find interactive exhibits and displays that give insight into the region's history and industrial growth. Vulcan Park is open 7 days a week from 7 am-10 pm. Vulcan Center and Tower is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 1-6 pm. Evening hours for Vulcan Tower are daily from 6 -10 pm.
