Statue of Liberty (New York, USA) - statue, monument, symbol

The Statue of Liberty (Statue of Liberty), actually Liberty Enlightening the World, French: La liberté éclairant le monde) is a monumental statue on Liberty Island at the mouth of the Hudson River in the Atlantic Ocean in the New York metropolitan region. It is an unofficial symbol of freedom, New York and the United States. Liberty Island, along with Ellis Island, is a federally owned complex managed by the National Park Service. Administratively, it belongs to the state of New York.

The monumental, neoclassical statue was built in 1884–1886 according to the design of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, Gustave Eiffel (structure) and Richard Morris Hunt (pedestal). It is a gift from the French people to the American people, commemorating the alliance of both nations during the American Revolutionary War. In 1924, it was recognized as a United States National Monument, and in 1984 it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History and symbolism

The monument, in the style of realistic neoclassicism, is the work of the French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. It depicts a female figure holding a torch in her right hand and in her left a board with the date of independence of the United States. It is carefully engraved: JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776). The concept of the Statue of Liberty was influenced by Eugène Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People to the Barricades", and Bartholdi gave her face the features of his own mother, but modeled the body on his lover.

The monument was a gift from the French government to the USA on the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It was built in France and presented in 1884 to the American ambassador in Paris. Then it was taken apart and sent by ship to New York. The unveiling took place on October 28, 1886, and was performed by President Grover Cleveland. It is a US national monument managed by the National Park Service.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The base of the monument stands on the 19th-century Wood Fort, with a star-shaped outline. It is federal property administered by the National Park Service and is within the jurisdiction of New York State.

On the pedestal there is a plate with the text of Emma Lazarus' sonnet "The New Colossus", which is often interpreted as a welcome to immigrants coming to America.

Impressive dimensions and design

When we look at the Statue of Liberty, it is hard not to notice its enormity. Its height from the base to the top of the torch is 46.5 meters and if we add the pedestal, the total height from the ground to the highest point is 93 meters. It's a truly impressive figure that towers over New York Harbor.

Each element of the statue is carefully designed and made. For example, the length of the hand is 5 meters and the length of the index finger is 2.44 meters. The head is 5.26 meters high and 3.05 meters wide from ear to ear which makes even the smallest details huge on a human scale. The length between the eyes is 0.76 meters and the nose is 1.48 meters long. Each of these dimensions emphasizes the monumental character of the statue.

One of the most important elements of the Statue of Liberty is the plaque she holds in her left hand. It measures 7.19 meters by 4.14 meters and is 0.61 meters thick and bears the inscription: "July 4, 1776. American Independence Day". It's a reminder of a historic day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in US history.

The author of the steel structure and base was Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer who designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The structure of the statue is made of iron covered with copper, which gives it a characteristic green patina color.

Inside the statue there are two sets of spiral staircases, each with 168 steps, leading to the crown, which has 25 windows. These stairs allow visitors to reach the top of the pedestal for incredible views of New York City. There is also a third staircase leading to the torch, but it is closed to the public for security reasons.

Fascinating facts and curiosities

The Statue of Liberty is not only a huge sculpture, but also an object full of fascinating facts and curiosities. Did you know that there are 354 steps to its top, and the plaque it holds weighs as much as 31 tons? The entire statue weighs an impressive 229 tons, making it one of the heaviest sculptures in the world.

The crown of the statue, with its seven rays, symbolizes not only the seven continents and seven oceans, but also the idea of ​​​​radiation of freedom throughout the world. These rays are 2.75 meters long each and are visible from a distance, which adds majesty to the entire structure.

An interesting fact is that the statue emerges from broken chains at its feet. It is a symbol of liberation from oppression, which fits perfectly into the idea of ​​freedom that the statue is supposed to represent. In turn, the face of the Statue of Liberty is modeled on the face of the sculptor's mother, Frédéric Augusto Bartholdi.

It is also worth mentioning the steel structure itself, which was designed in such a way that the statue could withstand strong winds and changing weather conditions. Despite the passage of time, the Statue of Liberty still stands proudly, being one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.

The Statue of Liberty is made of copper, so as a result of atmospheric corrosion, its coating has become patina, giving it its characteristic green color. This layer of patina not only gives the statue a unique look, but also protects it from further corrosion.

Importance for immigrants

The Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of a free and prosperous America for many emigrants coming to New York. For many of them, the first sight after a long journey across the ocean was the Statue of Liberty. It was a symbol of a new beginning, freedom and opportunities that awaited them in a new country. The plaque on the pedestal with the text of Emma Lazarus's sonnet "The New Colossus" further emphasizes this aspect.

Sightseeing

As a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001, tourist access to the observation deck in the statue's crown was closed. However, on May 23, 2009, the interior of the statue was restored to the public, along with two observation decks and flights of stairs leading to them. Admission to the highest part of the arm and the tomb has been closed to visitors since 1916. In October 2012, the crown was reopened to visitors.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is not only a great adventure, but also an opportunity to explore the history and symbolism of this monumental statue. It is worth booking your ticket in advance because the number of places is limited.

Statue of Liberty in movies

The Statue of Liberty is a common motif in films and television shows, often symbolizing hope, freedom, and sometimes even destruction. Here are some examples of movies that feature the Statue of Liberty:

"Planet of the Apes" (1968) - in the finale of the film, the hero discovers the destroyed Statue of Liberty, which is shocking proof that he is on Earth and not on another planet.

"Independence Day" (1996) - the statue is visible in scenes depicting the destruction of New York by aliens.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – The Statue of Liberty appears in dramatic scenes of New York flooding during a powerful storm.

"Ghostbusters II" (1989) - the statue plays a key role in the final scene, where the heroes use it as a "weapon" to defeat the evil spirit.

"X-Men" (2000) – in the climactic scene of the film, the Statue of Liberty is the site of a fight between mutants.

These and many other films show how deeply rooted the Statue of Liberty is in popular culture, both as a symbol of hope and as a backdrop to dramatic events.

Summary

The Statue of Liberty is not only a monumental sculpture, but also a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy and friendship between nations. Its history, design and dimensions arouse admiration and fascination among millions of people around the world. Each element of this statue, from the crown with seven rays to the broken chains at her feet, carries deep meaning and symbolism.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit New York, don't miss out on visiting Liberty Island and seeing this incredible work of art for yourself. The Statue of Liberty is not only a symbol of America, but also a universal icon of freedom and hope for the entire world.