vulcan park and museum

Giant iron statue--novel. Gives a terrific overlook of Birmingham. Has a little museum that is reasonable given the price. And a gift shop. The upper level is quite scary if you have a fear of heights.

Vulcan, the largest cast iron statue in the world, sits on Red Mountain with a wonderful scenic overlook of Birmingham. The statue was cast in under a year under the direction of the Italian Giuseppi Moretti and was the proud contribution of Birmingham to the 1904 St. Louis Lousiana Purchase Exposition. You can ride and elevator or walk steps up a massive pedestal to a spot near the base of the statue and enjoy the scenery. A small museum describes the history of Birmingham as an iron town and how the statue came to be. If you are afraid of heights you might be a little queasy standing on the steel grid platform, but you'll be OK if you just don't look directly down. It's definitely must-see sight in Birmingham and a wonderful example of the city's industrial history.

If you're expecting pointed ears, this is a different Vulcan. This is the god of metalworking and fire. Vulcan Park has a beautiful view of Birmingham and beyond, with numerous plaques explaining the history and the landscape. If you are on a budget, just bring a picnic lunch and soak in the view. If you want to spend a few bucks take the elevator up the statue and visit the museum. Either way this is a fun place.

My family was originally from Birmingham so I knew some of the history. The museum tells it all, good and bad. They are so honest about how Birmingham came about and the conditions of the working class and the black citizens. Did not go up in Vulcan as I do not like heights and it was cold and breezy that day. They have a 100 seat conference center that is just right.

I visited this place with family today. I remember coming when I was a kid back in the 80's. I came before Vulcan was restored. It is very beautiful now. Kids are not much into history but they still enjoyed.

This stop was very affordable (we also used AAA discount.) The views are beautiful from all angles. The museum is full of information about the history of Birmingham. Riding up and walking around the Vulcan was exhilarating. The staff also gave my child a scavenger hunt to work on while there. It was great because it kept him very engaged for the duration of the visit.

For the greatest view of Birmingham, AL there is no better spot. There is also a museum to tell you about the steel industry that once thrived in Birmingham. Vulcan holds a torch high over the city. At one time the torch would shine green if there had been no traffic fatalities in the city in the last 24 hours and red if there had been. Now it is just a white light all the time.

Free parking. Small museum relating to Birmingham history and an elevator that takes you to an outdoor space to walk around the base of the Vulcan statue. The view from this platform is spectacular!

So much of Birmingham's history is tied up with this statue and the recent rehab renovation, costing millions, brings Vulcan around to his full glory! I am at an age where I have a family photo standing in front of the original pedestal, a photo 30 years later in front of a completely different pedestal treatment and yesterday, a beautifully refurbished pedestal in original stone. Vulcan himself was completely taken apart, support structure re-done and treated to stand for many years to come atop Red Mountain. At some point during the 40s or 50s, his spear was lost and replaced with a neon torch that burned green under normal times and red when there was a traffic fatality. That torch has been replaced with a spear and no more nighttime lighting. Having lived in B'Ham for several years, I can tell you seeing that light was a beacon for many. There is a museum at the base in a separate building that is very interesting as it details the history of Vulcan concurrent to that of Birmingham. Well worth a visit! And the staff could not have been more gracious!

THE largest cast iron statue in the world (56 ft tall)! A great sight to see of this Roman God of Fire & Forge - which gives you a "Vulcan's"-eye view of the city of Birmingham (stairs or elevator to the top!) Created for the 1904 Worlds Fair in St.Louis. After the fair, the statue was dismantled and left in pieces alongside the railroad tracks due to unpaid freight bills until finding it's current home in 1936. The original spear head became a traffic beacon in 1946 replaced with a neon torch that glowed green, except during the 24 hours following a fatal traffic accident, when it glowed red looking over the city of Birmingham. The statue has a observation deck, and the museum has a great history of iron, Birmingham, Italian immigrants and of course the statue. The park space around the museum/statue is simply gorgeous (used to have cascading fountains that were taken out decades ago), and a great place to stop and relax or have a picnic. This should be a must see if visiting Birmingham!

We arrived late and the view from the top with all the lights was great. I didn't know the history of cast iron in Birmingham and was very amazed.

Vulcan park looks over Birmingham and is one of our best known and loved local sites. The museum offers a history lesson about the Magic City and is a great place to pack a picnic lunch. A great place for a day trip.

Takes about an hour and a half to see it all. Great views of the city. Great little museum and gift shop too. Watch that first step out of the elevator, the walkway is see-though.

We take our guest here for a little history of Birmingham plus the view of Birmingham is outstanding!

We had a great time at an after hours event at Vulcan. Museum has been updated and was very interesting. Food was catered in from Homewood cater which was delicious. Event held in downstairs room which was nice. Rode elevator to the top of Vulcan at night for view of the city. It was very nice. Great place to visit with family or reserve for an event.