Riobamba years later away from its original location (near a village named Cajabamba on the plains of San Antonio de Aguíscate). The city still retains much architecture from the Spanish period. In the Ecuadorian War of Independence Riobamba first declared independence on November 11, 1820 but was soon retaken. The city finally became part of an independent Gran Colombia in 1822, and then a separate Republic of Ecuador in 1830. On 20 November 2002, 7 people were killed and hundreds wounded when an explosion in the munitions depot at the Galapagos Brigade arsenal in Riobamba set off a series of blasts.
Equestrian of Simón Bolívar his head. In that hand he wields his sword, holding it upwards. He wears a military uniform with great detail, including the gold medal that was once George Washington's. The sculpture sits on a base made of granite or marble (142 in. x 72 in. x 184 in., 8 tons). The sculpture is signed: Felix W. de Weldon / Arch. Faulkner, Kingsbury & Stenhouse The front of the base is inscribed with: SIMON BOLIVAR THE LIBERATOR BORN JULY 24 1783 CARACAS VENEZUELA DIED DECEMBER 17 1830 SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA The east side of the base is inscribed with: THE REPUBLIC