Statue of Liberty National Monument, National Monument in New York Harbor, United States
The Statue of Liberty National Monument is a monument on Liberty Island in New York Harbor featuring a female figure holding a torch and tablet, rising to a total height of 305 feet (93 meters). The pedestal houses a museum and the observation platform sits beneath the crown, from which visitors look out over the water and the city.
The sculpture originated as a gift from France to the United States and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Between 1892 and 1954, the nearby Ellis Island served as an immigration station, linking the monument closely with the arrival of millions of people.
The figure wears a crown with seven rays representing the seven seas and continents, while the torch serves as a symbol of light visible from afar. Visitors notice the inscription of Emma Lazarus's sonnet on the pedestal, placed there in 1903 and addressing the theme of welcoming newcomers.
Ferry connections run from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey to the island, with visits during morning hours often less crowded. Those wishing to reach the crown must climb narrow stairs and should reserve the ascent in advance.
The surface color changed over decades from brown to green as the copper oxidized and formed a protective patina. The interior contains an iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel before he built his famous tower in Paris.
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