Vulcan Park in Birmingham

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From the vantage point at the top of Red Mountain, visitors to Vulcan Park in Birmingham can see the city which sits in the valley below.

Vulcan statue in Birmingham is the largest cast iron statue in the world, standing at 56 feet tall.

It portrays the Roman god Vulcan, god of fire and forge, standing with his arm raised high.

The Vulcan statue has become the city symbol of Birmingham, reflecting its founding as the iron and steel capital of the south.

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The Vulcan statue in Birmingham originally was created for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Other cities offered to purchase the statue, but Birmingham kept it and settled it permanently on Red Mountain in the 1930s.

Exhibits at Vulcan Park in Birmingham

In the 1990s, civic leaders funded a major overhaul to preserve the Vulcan statue.

They also created an educational museum to share Birmingham’s history.

The first exhibits at Vulcan Park & Museum illustrate Birmingham’s early history as a “company town,” focused on industry.

Then visitors get an up close look at the Vulcan statue’s creation, history, and restoration as well as the industry that brought the “Magic City” to life.

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Vulcan Park and Museum
My son (5’10”) takes a seat on this full-scale replica of Vulcan’s foot.

Vulcan Park & Museum takes guests through Birmingham’s economic collapse during the Great Depression. The museum doesn’t shy away from the civil unrest of the 1960s, particularly the stories of what occurred in Birmingham.

The “Birmingham Today” exhibit shares the city’s rebirth in new areas of business: banking, medical research and education. Walls of windows offer guests a great (wind-free) view of the modern, vibrant city of Birmingham today.

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Vulcan Park and Museum
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Vulcan Park and Museum
City View from the Top of Vulcan

Plan your visit to Vulcan Park in Birmingham

To plan your visit to the Vulcan statue, visit the park’s website.

Besides its regular hours, the park is open every evening from 6-10 p.m. for great views of the city lights.

If visiting Vulcan Park and Museum, I recommend you allow 2-3 hours to visit. That includes a half hour to climb the Vulcan statue and look at the views and the rest to tour the museum. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the vista while you’re at it!

NOTE: Vulcan statue in Birmingham is not wheelchair accessible. Those with difficulty climbing stairs and those afraid of heights probably should not climb the tower. The museum and grounds are accessible for all.