Visiting the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most visited places in the world, a symbol of the United States and at the same time of emancipation and liberation from oppression.
Located at the entrance to New York Harbor, it is also a monument dedicated to welcoming immigrants who reach New York in search of fortune, seeking the mythical American Dream. In this article we will discuss a trip to New York, how to get to the Statue of Liberty, and why it is worth visiting.

The history of the Statue of Liberty

It is estimated that every year 5 million people visit the Statue of Liberty, one of the main and unmissable stops for all tourists who reach the Big Apple.
This imposing 97-meter-high monument representing the Roman Goddess Libertas has a very special history, laden with symbolic meanings; moreover, it is an important testimony to the bond between France and the United States.

1. Origins of the idea

The Statue of Liberty was conceived by French intellectual and politician Édouard René de Laboulaye in 1865.
Laboulaye, an ardent supporter of the abolition of slavery and democracy, proposed the idea of creating a monument celebrating freedom and friendship between France and the United States to mark the 100th anniversary of American independence.

2. Design and construction

The task of designing the statue was given to French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
Bartholdi si ispirò alla figura della dea romana Libertas and began work on the project in 1870.
The statue was built in Paris in several sections between 1875 and 1884.
The inner frame of the statue was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who would later build the famous Eiffel Tower.

3. Fundraising

To finance the project, fundraising campaigns were organized in both France and the United States.
In the United States, publisher Joseph Pulitzer promoted a campaign that involved thousands of ordinary Americans.
France financed the construction of the statue, while the United States took care of the pedestal.

4. Transportation and assembly

In 1885, the statue was disassembled into 350 pieces and transported to the United States aboard the ship Isère.
Arrivata a New York, fu riassemblata sull’isola di Bedloe (oggi Liberty Island).
La costruzione del piedistallo, progettato dall’architetto americano Richard Morris Hunt, fu completata in tempo per l’assemblaggio della statua.

5. Inauguration

The Statue of Liberty was officially unveiled on October 28, 1886.
La cerimonia di inaugurazione fu presieduta dal presidente degli Stati Uniti Grover Cleveland and drew a large crowd.
During the event, Bartholdi unveiled the statue by removing a French flag that covered its face.

6. World Heritage Site

In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring its global historical and cultural importance.

Symbolic meaning of the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, officially known as “Liberty Enlightening the World,” represents a number of fundamental concepts related to freedom and human rights:

Freedom: It symbolizes freedom in a broad sense, a universal ideal that opposes all forms of oppression and tyranny.
The statue represents the figure of Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.
Democracy: The statue embodies democratic values, such as the right of every individual to freedom and self-determination.
It is an emblem of democracy and the fundamental principles that guide the United States.
Welcoming and hope: With its placement at the entrance to New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of welcome for millions of immigrants coming to America in search of a better life.
The flashlight she holds represents the light of hope and guidance toward a better future.
Abolition of Slavery.: At the base of the statue is a broken chain, representing liberation from slavery and oppression, a particularly significant theme in the historical context of the post-Civil War United States.
Friendship between nations: The statue is also a symbol of friendship between France and the United States, having been donated by the French to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American independence and cooperation between the two countries.

In summary, the Statue of Liberty represents freedom, hope, acceptance, human rights and democracy, as well as symbolizing the struggle against oppression and the bond between nations.