Statue of Liberty in New York (New York, USA) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and map.
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| Statue of Liberty New York |
Perhaps, not only a Native American, but any inhabitant of our planet, when asked what is the symbol of the United States, without hesitation, will answer: the Statue of Liberty. It is no coincidence that it is this monument that we see more often than others in American cinema, it is no coincidence that, as tourists, we buy up in souvenir shops and take home copies of the Statue of Liberty.
Emphasizing the greatness of the monument, the Statue of Liberty is often compared to the Colossus of Rhodes, an ancient Greek statue that has not survived to this day. Poetess Emma Lazarus wrote a sonnet "New Colossus" on the day of the opening of the Statue of Liberty. Since 1903, a special tablet with the lines of this work has adorned the pedestal of the monument.
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| Statue of Liberty in New York |
By the way, not everyone knows that the full name of the Statue of Liberty sounds like “Liberty Enlightening the World”. The 46-meter (93-meter pedestal) Statue of Liberty, proudly towering on the island of the same name, is a gift presented to the United States on behalf of the French people, who once supported the Americans in their struggle for independence. The idea of creating the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of independence and democracy was born in 1865 and belongs to the famous French scientist and lawyer Edouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye. The concept of the monument was developed by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
The original model of the Statue of Liberty was made by Bartholdi in 1870; today this first copy of the legendary monument can be seen in the Luxembourg Gardens near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Place for the Statue of Liberty or an interesting fact
In which corner of American soil the monument will rise, Bartholdi chose. In his opinion, it was simply impossible to find a place more ideal than Bedlow Island, located 3 km southwest of the southern border of Manhattan. However, historians lift the curtain and reveal to us some secrets.
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| Liberty Island and Coast Guard |
It turns out that Bartholdi perfectly represented his giant sculpture not only on an island near New York, but also in Port Said, located in the Suez Canal, which connects the Red and Mediterranean Seas. The project " Egypt, Bringing Light to Asia" was not destined to come true, but Bartholdi's works were not in vain, the sculptor successfully realized his idea in the United States, moreover, the builder of the Suez Canal Lessens was put in charge of the committee for the creation of the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
A bit of history
The project for the erection of a monument on Bedlow Island was approved by the US Congress only in 1877, and this despite the fact that, according to the plan of the French, the unusual present was supposed to be ready by the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, that is, by July 4, 1876. However, the fundraising was delayed, and by this time only a brass hand with a torch was ready, which until the completion of work on the statue was sheltered in New York on Madison Square. By July 1878, Lady Liberty's head was ready. At the same time, the head was presented at an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris.
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| Statue of Liberty in New York, Liberty Island |
It is worth noting that funds for the construction of the monument were collected in all possible ways: balls, sports competitions, exhibitions and lotteries were organized. The eloquent Pulitzer, publisher of the New-York World newspaper, provided significant help in financing the construction of the monument.
The first presentation of the finished Statue of Liberty took place on July 4, 1884 in France, after which the monument was dismantled and sent to the United States. The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York on July 17, 1885. The assembly of the monument took about 4 months. However, the official opening of the Statue of Liberty in New York by US President Grover Cleveland took place only on October 28, 1886. Only men attended the opening ceremony. And this despite the fact that the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of democracy. As an exception, only Lessens' eight-year-old daughter and Bartholdi's wife were allowed on the island that day.
By the way, Bedlow Island was officially renamed Liberty Island only in 1956, although Bartholdi suggested doing this back in the 19th century, 80 years before the event.
Statue of Liberty inside and out
The Statue of Liberty is a steel frame with a total weight of 125 tons. Gustav Eiffel was invited to design and build the steel structure, and Maurice Kechlin continued his work. The frame is constructed in such a way that inside the monument you can easily move around and even climb the spiral staircases to the top. The main observation deck, located in the crown, is 354 steps away. From there, 25 gem-symbolized windows offer an amazing view of New York Harbor. By the way, the seven rays of the crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents, as is commonly believed in the West.
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| View from the Statue of Liberty New York |
The top of the steel skeleton is covered with copper sheets, expertly minted in wooden molds, with a thickness of only 2.37 mm and a total weight of 31 tons. Copper plates spliced together form the silhouette of the statue. By the way, copper was supplied to France from Russia. It is worth noting that one leg of the statue stands on broken chains - this is how Bartholdi symbolically showed the acquisition of freedom. The plaque in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty indicates the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776: JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.
The monument's plinth was designed by the American architect Richard Morris Hunt. Work on its construction began in the summer of 1885 and was completed in April 1886. The cement base of the Statue of Liberty weighs 27 thousand tons. To get to the top of the pedestal, you need to climb 192 steps. There is a museum inside the pedestal, which can be reached by elevator.
In 1924, the Statue of Liberty was listed as a national monument, in the 30s of the 20th century, the entire Bedlow Island (Liberty) became a national park. In 1984, the UN declared the Island of Liberty and the legendary monument located on it as a monument of world importance.
The Statue of Liberty has been repeatedly restored, new lighting elements have been added. Currently, the monument is equipped with laser illumination.
Who is Lady Liberty?
Who was Bartholdi's model, whose face illuminates the world? Whom has the great sculptor captured in the image of the Roman Goddess Libertas forever and ever? Surely, these questions are being asked by the Americans themselves and by guests from all over the world.
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| Tourists at the Statue of Liberty New York |
On this score, there are two opinions. Someone thinks that Bartholdi captured in his work the face of the Frenchwoman Isabella Boyer, the widow of Isaac Singer. Others are of the opinion that the Statue of Liberty inherited the image of the sculptor's mother, Charlotte. Which opinion is true, still remains a mystery, which is unlikely to ever be able to unravel.
How to get there
Over 4 million tourists from all over the world visit the Statue of Liberty annually. The entrance to the National Park of the island is free, however, to get to it you will have to spend money on the ferry, as well as go through a thorough inspection at the marinas.
Ferries leave from New York. You can take a trip to the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park in Manhattan, or from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Entrance to the statue is free, adults will have to pay 24 USD for the ferry. Prices on the page are for July 2021.