Statue of Liberty National Monument: Witness the iconic Lady Liberty
Millions of people visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument to witness the regal beauty of Lady Liberty.
Not many know that the Statue was a gift from the country of France to the people of America. It symbolizes the American Dream and spirit.
Visitors have plenty to uncover, from the Statue’s fascinating origins to the mystery behind the face of the sculpture.
Most travelers pick a Statue of Liberty Guided tour to find answers and delve deep into the fascinating history behind the significance of the attraction.
Here’s a brief overview of all the relevant details behind Lady Liberty’s sculpture and what she is carrying so you can have some idea.
About Lady Liberty
The Statue of Liberty National Monument, often called Lady Liberty, is an emblem of freedom, inspiration, and optimism.
It is a 305-foot (92.9m) tall sculpture– A Libertas statue representing the cloaked Roman goddess of Liberty.
Libertas is a Roman deity personifying freedom and appearing on Roman coins from the period of Julius Caesar’s assassination.
In her left hand, she holds a “tabula ansata” with the date July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals, the date of the Declaration of Independence.
Lady Liberty’s sculpture is symbolic– holding a torch over her head in her right hand and a broken shackle and chain fall at her feet to remember the nation’s abolishment of slavery.
Note: The access to the National Monument is based on the type of ticket you purchase.
The three primary types of Statue of Liberty tickets are the Grounds-only, Pedestal, and Crown access tickets.
Statue of Liberty Pedestal
The Statue of Liberty stands on a stone structure called the Pedestal, which serves a dual purpose.
The Pedestal supports the giant Lady Liberty statue and provides the much-needed rigidity required to keep it upright.
Apart from this, the pedestal adds to the structure’s overall height, making it taller and giving it a majestic look.
The height of the Statue of Liberty pedestal is 154 feet (46.9 m) and Lady Liberty stands over 151 feet (46 m), making the height of the entire sculpture 305 feet (92.9m).
Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi envisioned the Statue’s pedestal as a “Fortress of Liberty,” large enough to hold the immense Statue but not overshadow it.
With the standard Grounds-only tickets, visitors get access only to the grounds of Liberty Island.
Visitors need a Pedestal access ticket to tour the balcony at the top of the structure.
The balcony runs across all sides of the statue uninterrupted and offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.
Know more about Statue of Liberty Pedestal tickets.
Statue of Liberty Crown
The Statue of Liberty Crown is the topmost position inside the statue, located approximately 20 storeys high.
The Crown features seven spikes, each symbolizing the world’s seven oceans and seven continents, propagating Lady Liberty’s message of welcome, inclusiveness, and freedom.
The original crown was made of copper. However, these spikes were later removed because they damaged the statue.
In 1903, a new crown was created to mark the beginning of the new century.
Inside the Crown is a small platform and a series of small windows for visitors to soak in the views.
You can reach the crown by climbing a few flights of stairs. Learn the Top 14 things about the Statue of Liberty before your visit.
Visitors need a Crown access ticket to reach this level.
Remember that all Crown access tickets also give you access to the pedestal.
Note: Visitors are advised to buy the Statue of Liberty tickets in advance for discounts and to avoid the queue line at the destination.
Statue of Liberty Torch
The Statue of Liberty torch is located in the right hand of the statue, which is held high in the air.
The Torch of the National Monument represents the idea of liberty, freedom and enlightenment.
Originally, the torch was designed to be a functioning beacon, serving as a navigational aid for ships entering the harbor.
However, due to safety concerns, it was replaced with a replica torch in 1984.
Visitors to the statue can view the original torch in the Statue of Liberty Museum, located on Liberty Island.
Statue of Liberty Facts
There are a few interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty that will prepare you for your visit.
- The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France and was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
- Gustave Eiffel built the metal framework. His company designed and built the Eiffel Tower.
- The Statue was built in sections. It was disassembled and shipped to the United States when construction was completed.
- It is primarily made of copper but has gold, steel, and cast iron elements. The typical green color of the Statue of Liberty is due to the oxidation of copper.
- The idea of the Statue was first suggested in 1865 to commemorate the abolition of slavery and the Union victory in the American Civil War.
- The Lady Liberty depicts the United State’s commitment to democracy and liberty by employing the symbol of a robed female figure, Libertadores, the Roman goddess of freedom.
- The Statue’s crown has seven spikes representing the seven continents and oceans. It symbolizes the message of inclusiveness and freedom.
- The Statue of Liberty gets struck by lightning approximately 600 times a year!
- It is widely believed that the designer, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, modeled the face of Lady Liberty after his mother.
- You might be surprised to know that the Statue of Liberty sways in the wind.
Top Statue of Liberty Tickets
Apart from the tickets based on the Statue of Liberty viewpoints, plenty of other tickets are available for visitors to pick and have their perfect tour.
The Boat tours are an excellent alternative to the full-fledged Statue of Liberty tickets, letting you sightsee Lady Liberty by cruising within a 100-meter distance from the structure.
They also feature various types of experiences such as dinner, lunch and more.
The Statue of Liberty helicopter tours provide a different dimension. You get a bird’s eye view of Lady Liberty and other prominent structures in the city.
You can also choose the combo tickets for a value-for-money tour of NYC’s top attractions, allowing access to two or more attractions at a discounted rate.
These combos work in the same way as the New York City Pass.
Note: Ellis Island, located within a 10-minute ferry ride from Liberty Island, is an unmissable part of the Statue of Liberty Tour.
Guests are highly recommended to check out the Liberty Museum on Liberty Island and the attractions on Ellis Island, like the National Immigration Museum, Family History Centre or the Wall of Honor.
FAQs
Why is Lady Liberty so famous?
The Lady Liberty is a sculpture of the Roman goddess Libertas that symbolizes freedom.
The sculpture is famous for its size and grandeur, which makes it one of the most beautiful sculptures.
Who is Lady Liberty in real life?
Historians believe Lady Liberty (the robed female figure) was modeled after Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.
However, the sculptor was said to be first inspired by the guarding Nubian tombs.
Why does Lady Liberty turn Green?
The original color of the Statue of Liberty was shiny brown, owing to the element of copper.
The identifiable green color of Lady Liberty is due to the oxidation process of copper, a chemical reaction between metal and air(oxygen).
Hence, oxidation slowly turned the brownish color of the Statue into a green patina.
How tall is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty stands at a height of 93 meters (305 ft), equivalent to the height of a 22-story building.
When it was made in 1886, it was the tallest structure in New York.
But now, it is almost half of the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, located in India.
Which is the No. 1 Statue in the world?
The tallest statue in the world is the Statue of Unity, located in the Indian state of Gujarat.
It was completed in 2018 and stands at a towering height of 597 ft (182 m) tall.
Compared to this, the Statue of Liberty is almost half at 305 ft (93 m).
Learn all the necessary facts and information in our detailed comparison between the Statue of Unity vs Statue of Liberty.
Where are the 3 Statues of Liberty?
There are plenty of replicas of Lady Liberty made throughout the world.
From them, the top 3 replicas of the Statue of Liberty National Monument worth mentioning are at Musee d’Orsay in Paris, crafted by the sculptor Frederic Bartholdi.
The second one is on the Île aux Cygnes at River Seine in Paris to celebrate the French Revolution.
The third one is the all-white version of Lady Liberty in Leicester, England.
When was the Statue of Liberty built?
The Statue of Liberty was built in the late 19th century, with its construction beginning in 1875 and completion in 1884.
It was disassembled for transportation from France, and its reassembly was completed in 1886. It was unveiled to the public on October 28, 1886.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is situated on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, United States. The island is located in the Hudson River.
The island can only be accessed by ferry either from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
How old is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is almost 147 years old.
The construction of the Statue began in the 19th century by Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the Eiffel Tower.
What does the Statue of Liberty represent?
The Statue of Liberty is considered a symbol of hope, freedom, and equal opportunity.
The statue depicts the United State’s commitment to democracy and liberty by employing the symbol of a robed female figure, Libertadores, the Roman goddess of freedom.
The statue also has a broken chain at her feet, symbolizing the end of slavery.
Thus, it represents ideals of freedom, democracy, and the American way of life.
What is the Statue of Liberty’s history?
The idea of the Statue of Liberty was suggested in 1865 to commemorate the abolition of slavery and the Union victory in the American Civil War.
It was a gift from the people of France.
Who made the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is a gift from the people of France and was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
The metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who, as the name suggests, also built the Eiffel Tower.
Featured Image: Aliaksie Skreidzeleu