Liberty Enlightening the World (French: La liberté éclairant le monde), commonly known as the Statue of Liberty (French: Statue de la Liberté), was presented to the United States by the people of France in 1886. Standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, it welcomes visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans. The copper-clad statue, dedicated on October 28, 1886, commemorates the centennial of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence and is a gesture of friendship from France to the United States. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi sculpted the statue and obtained a U.S. patent for its structure. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) engineered the internal structure. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was responsible for the choice of copper in the statue's construction and adoption of the repoussé technique, where a malleable metal is hammered on the reverse side.
The statue is of a robed woman holding a torch, and is made of a sheeting of pure copper, hung on a framework of steel (originally puddled iron) with the exception of the flame of the torch, which is coated in gold leaf (originally made of copper and later altered to hold glass panes.) It stands atop a rectangular stonework pedestal with a foundation in the shape of an irregular eleven-pointed star. The statue is 151 ft (46 m) tall, but with the pedestal and foundation, it is 305 ft (93 m) tall.
Worldwide, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States and was, from 1886 until the jet age, often one of the first glimpses of the United States for millions of immigrants after ocean voyages from Europe. Visually, the Statue of Liberty appears to draw inspiration from il Sancarlone or the Colossus of Rhodes.
The statue is a central part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, administered by the National Park Service.
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Statue of Liberty Trivia
How to Save on Sightseeing New York City Attractions
With so many unique attractions, world-famous museums, theaters, and skyscrapers there is always plenty to do in New York. However, sightseeing in New York City might not be the easiest or the cheapest experience.
This is why our team of real, life-long New Yorkers has created the New York Pass. If you want to discover the best of what this amazing city offers while still saving some time and money on your visit, the New York Pass is something you should be interested in.
How You Benefit from The New York Pass®
1. Free entry to over 40 attractions – Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, New York Skyride, Madame Tussaud’s, Circle Line River Cruise, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Madison Square Garden Tour, NBC Studio Tours, New York Aquarium & many others
2. Free 140 page guidebook in English, German & Spanish, containing hours of operation, maps and directions to every tourist attraction, shop and restaurant included in New York Pass
3. Line skipping privileges – As a New York City Pass holder you are entitled to fast track entry to some of the New York City’s busiest attractions
4. Additional Package option available – You can use our Pass & Hop on – Hop off Bus Packages for the ultimate New York sightseeing experience.
5. Over $450 worth of entrance fees – that’s how much it would cost if you visited all the attractions that New York Pass grants entrance to - without using the New York Pass. That doesn’t even include the additional discounts you receive for having a NY Pass!
6. Many special offers and benefits – apart from entry to attractions you also get great offers on theatre tickets, entry to special exhibitions, audio tours & discounts on shopping in Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, and much more.
Admission to over 40 of New York City's best attractions: New York Pass
With so many unique attractions, world-famous museums, theaters, and skyscrapers there is always plenty to do in New York. However, sightseeing in New York City might not be the easiest or the cheapest experience.