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The colossal Statue of Liberty in New York’s harbour has for 130 years served as a beacon of freedom and democracy.
The UNESCO World Heritage List includes more than a thousand properties with outstanding universal value. They are all part of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Official facts
- Country: United States of America
- Date of Inscription: 1984
- Category: Cultural site
UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre’s short description of site no. 307:
“The Statue of Liberty, a hollow colossus composed of thinly pounded copper sheets over a steel framework, stands on an island at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was designed by sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi in collaboration with engineer Gustave Eiffel, and was a gift from France on the centenary of American independence in 1876. Its design and construction were recognized at the time as one of the greatest technical achievements of the 19th century and hailed as a bridge between art and engineering. Atop its pedestal (designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt), the Statue has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States since it was dedicated in 1886.”
My visit
I visited the statue and Liberty Island in 2015 on a ferry from Manhattan. It was a combined ticket to Ellis Island close by. The two islands make up a National Monument in the United States; but UNESCO has only included Liberty Island on its list.
One can easily see the statue from New York City, and even closer from New Jersey. One may also take a ride for free on the Staten Island ferry. It passes Liberty Island not very far away. The best option, and probably the most popular, is to buy a ticket in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. You then take a boat out to the island for a leisurely walk around for a couple of hours. (There is a restaurant and other facilities available on the island.)
I had paid extra to get up on the pedestal, at the feet of the Lady. They will allow very few up the interior staircase to the crown. All visitors will enjoy the view towards Manhattan and also the view up, on the statue.
This is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. A visit to the island will leave you with a feeling of deep satisfaction. As a Norwegian I had an additional sense of pride. Most of the copper is from a copper mine in Norway.
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