Le Génie de la Liberté, Bronze statue at Place de la Bastille, France.
Description
Le Génie de la Liberté is a bronze statue from 1836 that crowns the July Column at Place de la Bastille. The figure stands about 4 meters tall and depicts a winged man holding a torch and carrying broken chains.
History
Created by Auguste Dumont in 1836, the statue honors French citizens who fought against absolute monarchy during the July Revolution of 1830. It stands as a monument to France's pivotal struggle for freedom and self-governance.
Culture
The figure breaks from traditional French liberty representations by depicting a winged male form without the Phrygian cap. This departure from revolutionary symbolism created a different kind of freedom icon for Paris.
Practical
The monument rises about 50 meters above ground and overlooks three Parisian districts. It sits within Place de la Bastille, a busy public square with good access to metro stations and nearby streets.
Did you know?
A crypt beneath the July Column holds the remains of about 500 fighters who died during France's struggles for freedom. This hidden space transforms the monument into a tomb honoring those who gave their lives for the nation.
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