"Vulcan, Birmingham Alabama’s colossal statue is the world’s largest cast iron statue and considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States. Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron in 1904, Vulcan has overlooked Alabama’s largest city from atop Red Mountain since the 1930s," the official website says.

"By 1999, the 50-ton statue was in desperate need of repair. The surrounding 10-acre park was closed. Vulcan was removed from his pedestal. Realizing Vulcan’s importance to the region’s history, city leaders sought public support for its restoration, forming the non-profit Vulcan Park Foundation. The foundation would oversee a master plan to return this colossal statue to his 1904 grandeur. They also created a dynamic educational park complex interpreting Alabama’s rich industrial history for both residents and visitors from across the globe.

"Vulcan® Park and Museum is operated by Vulcan® Park Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote Vulcan as the symbol for the Birmingham region, to advance knowledge and understanding of Birmingham’s diverse history and culture, and to encourage exploration of the region. Our offices are located inside Vulcan Center."

"The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, United States, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot (17 m) tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge, with ironworking equipment. It was created as Birmingham's entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World's Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri. While it is the world's largest made of iron, it is also among the nation's tallest statues of any kind.

"The Vulcan statue consists of 29 cast-iron components with connecting flanges that are bolted together internally. The heaviest section is his whole head, which weighs 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg). Iron forgemen designed and executed the connection details for the statue, which originally had no internal framework and was self-supporting. The grey iron castings were made in Birmingham entirely from locally produced iron.

"The completed weight of the god Vulcan's figure alone is 100,000 pounds (45,359 kg). When Vulcan's anvil, block, hammer, and spearpoint are added, the statue weighs a total of 120,000 pounds (54,431 kg) and it stands on a 123-foot tall (37 m) pedestal. The statue has a chest circumference of 22 feet 6 inches (7 m) and a waist circumference of 18 feet 3 inches (6 m)." (Wikipedia)

"The statue of Vulcan looks down over the city of Birmingham from a height of almost 600 feet, watching over the city it was built to symbolize," the Encyclopedia Of Alabama says.

"The 56-foot, 60-ton statue is the largest iron figure ever cast, and at the time it was made, it was the biggest statue created in the United States and the second-tallest statue in the country, behind the Statue of Liberty. Conceived for the 1904 World’s Fair, the statue was cast with iron made from ore mined at Red Mountain, on which it now rests, in an effort to advertise Birmingham and promote Alabama’siron industry.

"In Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire and blacksmithing and the counterpart of the Greek god Hephaestus. Born to Jupiter and Juno, he was the builder of palaces and weapons for gods and demi-gods. Birmingham’s association with Vulcan dates to the 1880s, a time when Alabama was the nation’s fourth-highest producer of iron and steel, fueled by the area’s rich coal, limestone, and ore deposits, and Birmingham was expanding rapidly as a result. The image of Vulcan was assimilated into a short-lived Mardi Gras tradition from 1896–1900, in which the king of the celebration masqueraded as “Rex Vulcan,” or King Vulcan."

"Alabama is home to some of the world’s finest landmarks. One of these is Vulcan, a famous cast-iron statue. Vulcan is the main attraction at Vulcan Park and Museum, which is located in Birmingham, Alabama," the Only In Your State says.

"With a height of 56 feet and a weight of more than 100,000 pounds, Vulcan is the world's largest cast-iron statue. It's also the largest metal statue ever constructed in the United States.

"Standing atop of Red Mountain on a 124-foot pedestal, Vulcan overlooks "The Magic City" and offers one of Alabama's most breathtaking views. To learn all about Vulcan, you can visit the Vulcan Center, an interactive history museum that closely examines the famous statue and Birmingham's story."

"Vulcan wasn't built for idol worship, but for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. He personified Birmingham's pride in its local iron industry, even though he was designed by Italian Giuseppe Moretti and sculpted in New Jersey. Vulcan's plaster model was then cast in Birmingham from ore smelted in the nearby Sloss Furnaces," the Roadside America says.

"He weighed nearly 51 tons, and remains the largest cast iron statue in the world. His height was originally planned for 50 feet, but when the citizens of Birmingham learned that a pagan Buddha in Tokyo stood 52 feet tall, they made their pagan Vulcan four feet taller.

"The statue was such a hit at the Fair that San Francisco offered to buy him for more than it cost to build him. Birmingham refused."

"The statue of Vulcan, Roman god of fire, looks down over the city of Birmingham from a height of almost 600 feet and watches over the city it was built to symbolize," the Alabama Legacy says.

"The Birmingham Commercial Club commissioned sculptor Giuseppe Moretti to produce the cast-iron colossus to promote their young city at the 1904 World’s Fair. Cast with pig iron from Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces, the 56-foot, 60-ton statue is the largest cast-iron figure ever made.

"At the time Vulcan was the largest statue created in the United States and second only to the Statue of Liberty as tallest statue in the country. Today, Vulcan resides at Vulcan Park and Museum on Red Mountain and provides a sweeping view of the city while educating visitors on the statue’s significance in Birmingham history."

"Vulcan, Birmingham Alabamas colossal statue is the worlds largest cast iron statue and considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States," the Road Trippers says.

"Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron in 1904, it has overlooked the urban landscape of Alabamas largest city since the 1930s."

"VULCAN, the largest cast iron statue in the world, stands atop Red Mountain overlooking Birmingham, Alabama. Vulcan is a symbol of the great steel industry that was responsible for Birmingham earning the title "Pittsburgh of the South" many years ago."

"The views over the city are beautiful when you get to the park. You can either climb steps or take the elevator up to the observation deck to get a closer look at Vulcan. There is a very informative museum about the history of the iron industry in Birmingham. Also, the history of Vulcan. There is a gift shop as well."

"We had some time so decided to drive up to the park. We took a little walk around the grounds and around the Vulcan. Yes, it's big. Then we went up to the top for the view, which was nice."

"Surprisingly beautiful grounds. Elevator to top affords a great view of Birmingham. The museum is also very interesting for providing a history of Birmingham."

"An admission ticket will buy you entrance into a small museum that documents his and the city's history. Then you can take an elevator ride up to Vulcan's level which is about 10 stories up. Visitors can alternatively climb the stairs to the platform. This would be a fun activity for kids."