Birmingham was once a steel-producing city, and a tribute to that role is the 55-ft/17-m cast-iron statue of Vulcan (the Roman god of fire and forging) atop Red Mountain in Vulcan Park. It is said to be the largest cast-iron statue in the world. You can take an elevator ride to its outdoor observation deck for a breathtaking view of the city. 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. Phone 205-933-1409. http://www.visitvulcan.com.
