The Spirit of Detroit, Bronze sculpture in Downtown Detroit, United States
The Spirit of Detroit is a bronze sculpture in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The seated figure holds a golden sphere in its left hand and a small family group in its right, with the entire form measuring around 26 feet tall.
Marshall Fredericks created the work in 1958 as the largest cast bronze sculpture since the Renaissance. The casting was produced in Norway and then shipped to Detroit via the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
The statue wears jerseys of Detroit sports teams during championship celebrations and becomes a gathering point for city pride. This tradition has turned the sculpture into a favorite photo spot for locals and travelers alike.
The sculpture stands at 2 Woodward Avenue in front of city hall and can be viewed from the sidewalk at any time. A visit pairs well with a walk through downtown, as the surrounding area is pedestrian-friendly.
The casting traveled over 4800 miles (7700 km) from Oslo to Detroit on a German freight ship. The journey through the Saint Lawrence Seaway was one of the few ways at the time to bring large sculptures into the Great Lakes.
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