Statue of Liberty

General

The site chosen for the statue was an island at the entrance of New York Harbor, Liberty Island, so that it gives the impression it salutes all new comers to American land.

The statue is the symbol of liberty and democracy. It represents a woman, covered with a flag, and holding in her right hand a torch and in the left hand a plaque on which is written the independence day of the U.S.A.- 4th of July 1776. The seven arms of the crown she is wearing stand for the seven continents. Inside the statue there is a 354 steps ladder, but after the events from 9.11, the access has been forbidden.

The statue was designed by a French sculptor, Frederic-Auguste Bertholdi and it took him ten years to complete it, due to financial difficulties. The statue is made of copper and it is supported by a metal framework which was especially constructed by Gustave Eiffel the engineer who also build the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In 1884 the statue, which was 151 feet high, was built in Paris. The following year it was transported to America, in pieces, where it was placed on a large pedestal, 151 feet high, so that the statue is altogether 305 feet high. It weights 255 tons. In 1885 the statue was put together again and on the 28th of October 1866 it was officially presented to the American people. Ever since than, the great monument has welcomed the millions of people who have past through New York Harbor.