How Many Statues of Liberty are There?
Every time I have marveled at the Statue of Liberty, I have asked myself the question: “how many Statues of Liberty are there?”
The short answer is that there is only one official Statue of Liberty, which is located on Liberty Island in the harbor of New York City.
There are, however, several other replica statues based on the design of the original Statue of Liberty.
There are hundreds of replicas of the Statue of Liberty around the world.
In the United States alone, there are approximately 200 replicas across 39 states.
These replicas vary in size and are located in various settings, from museums to parks.
They serve as a symbol of freedom and liberty, much like the original statue in New York Harbor.
The Statue of Liberty in New York
The Statue of Liberty is a large statue on New York City’s Liberty Island.
The French people presented it to the United States in 1886 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The copper statue, which stands over 300 feet tall, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower.
The Statue of Liberty holds a torch in her right hand, symbolizing illumination, and a tablet in her left hand, bearing the date of the Declaration of Independence.
She wears a crown with seven points, representing the seven seas and continents.
The face of the statue is said to be modeled after that of Bartholdi’s mother.
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of the United States that has appeared in numerous films, songs, and television shows.
It has also inspired many poems, including Emma Lazarus’ famous poem “The New Colossus,” which is inscribed on a plaque at the statue’s base.
One of the most famous features of the Statue of Liberty is the inscription on the base, which reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
This inscription, written by Lazarus, is widely regarded as a symbol of the United States’ welcoming attitude toward immigrants.
This statue has undergone several renovations over the years.
The statue’s exterior was cleaned and repaired during this time, and a new torch was installed.
The statue has recently been closed for additional renovations and is expected to reopen to the public in 2024.
The Statue of Liberty is both a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It attracts millions of visitors each year and is an important part of the United States’ cultural heritage.
How Many Statues of Liberty are There Across the Globe? List of Statues of Liberties Around the World
As stated earlier, there is one original Statue of Liberty in New York and hundreds of replica Statues of Liberties spread across different locations in the world.
Here is a look at some of them.
Odaiba Statue of Liberty
The Odaiba Statue of Liberty is a replica of New York City’s famous Statue of Liberty, but it is located in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan, a popular shopping and entertainment district.
The statue was erected in 1998 to honor the French-Japanese friendship and to commemorate the centennial of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
It is made of bronze and stands approximately one-third the size of the original Statue of Liberty.
It is a beautiful and impressive sight to behold.
By taking a short ferry ride from the mainland, visitors to Odaiba can get a close-up view of the statue.
From the ferry, you can get a good look at the statue and admire its intricate details and imposing stature.
The statue faces east, towards Tokyo Bay, and is located on “Liberty Island,” a small artificial island.
A pedestrian bridge connects the island to the mainland, and visitors can walk across it to get a better view of the statue.
Aside from its symbolic significance, the Odaiba Statue of Liberty is a popular photo location for tourists.
The location of the statue, with Tokyo Bay and the city skyline in the background, makes for an incredible photo opportunity.
Many visitors to Odaiba also enjoy shopping and visiting nearby attractions.
The most frequented sites include the Rainbow Bridge and the Miraikan Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
Overall, the Odaiba Statue of Liberty is a lovely and significant addition to the Odaiba district.
It is a symbol of Japan and France’s strong friendship, as well as a popular tourist destination.
Visnes Statue of Liberty
The Visnes statue of liberty stands tall and proud in Norway, a symbol of liberty and hope.
The statue, which stands over 40 feet tall, looms over the picturesque landscape of the Visnes mine, its outstretched arm holding a torch aloft.
Visnes’ real fame, however, came when some of its mined copper was allegedly incorporated into the Statue of Liberty, the internationally renowned creation of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel.
According to legend, Japy Frères, the French company that owned the mine, supplied much, if not all, of the metal that was later used to construct the sculpture’s outer layers.
Until recently, this audacious claim was widely regarded as a desperate attempt by the villagers to stay in the spotlight.
This is after their former source of income, the Vigsnes copper mine, was permanently closed in 1972.
Given the lack of documentation, the task of conclusively proving Lady Liberty’s Norwegian ancestry appeared impossible at first.
It was not until the mid-1980s, when copper samples from the sculpted lady were compared to Visnes copper samples, that the village’s claim to fame was finally confirmed.
Bordeaux Statue of Liberty
The Bordeaux Statue of Liberty is a replica of the renowned New York City statue.
It stands high and proud overlooking the Garonne River in Bordeaux, France.
The statue was a gift from the citizens of France to the citizens of the United States.
It was intended to exemplify the two countries’ friendship and alliance.
The Bordeaux Statue of Liberty is 22 meters tall, a little shorter than the original statue in New York.
It was designed by the same sculptor, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and features the same iconic image of a robed woman holding a torch.
The statue, like the original, is made of copper and has been gorgeously preserved over the years.
Visitors to Bordeaux can get a close look at the statue by embarking on a boat ride down the river or climbing the steps to the pedestal.
They can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area from there.
Visitors come to the statue to take photos and learn more about the city’s history and relationship with the United States.
Lviv Statue of Liberty
Do you know that Lviv has a Ukrainian Statue of Liberty?
People also refer to it as the “lazy statue.” It is located on the facade of Ukraine’s State Museum of Ethnography, 15 Svobody (Liberty) Avenue.
Yuriy Zakharevych designed it, and sculptor Leandro Marconi decorated it.
The monument, created in the late 1800s, is unlike any other replicas of Lady Liberty, and not simply because of her position.
The sculptural decoration of most buildings in the city center, including the first railway station, was held under his leadership or created by him.
Two hunky shirtless men flank the statue.
Breaking free from oppression is difficult work, so can you blame Lady Liberty for wanting to take a break?
Nevertheless, not everyone is impressed with the figure.
The statue has earned the nickname “the lazy statue” among the locals.
Perhaps they have a point, given that it is the world’s only sitting Statue of Liberty.
Salvador Dali’s Statue of Liberty
Salvador Dali was a well-known artist known for his surrealist style.
His interpretation of the Statue of Liberty is one of his most famous works.
The dual raised torches on Salvador Dali’s Statue of Liberty set it apart from other Lady Liberty replicas.
La Victoire de la Liberté (The Victory of Liberty), as Dali titled his 1972 creation, is very similar to Bartholdi’s original design, but his lady has both arms raised, each holding a torch.
Salvador Dali’s Statue of Liberty stands out from other Lady Liberty replicas due to its dual raised torches.
Dali’s 1972 creation, La Victoire de la Liberté (The Victory of Liberty), is very close to Bartholdi’s original design, but his lady has both arms raised, both holding a torch.
Original Statue of Liberty
Ironically, the Statue of Liberty in New York City is a miniature replica of the one in Paris’ Musée des Arts et Métiers.
Lady Liberty was designed by Frederic Bartholdi, who created several models before settling on the final design.
This final version, as well as other Statue of Liberty-related artifacts, can be found in this industrial design museum.
The statue was first proposed in 1865, when Bartholdi met with French statesman Édouard René de Laboulaye to discuss the possibility of erecting a monument to commemorate France’s companionship with the United States.
The American Revolution and the principles of liberty and equality that it represented inspired Bartholdi, who envisioned a massive statue that would stand as a beacon of hope and freedom.
Rio de Janeiro Statue of Liberty Réplica
A nickel replica made by Bartholdi in 1899 can be found in Bangu, Rio de Janeiro.
José Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco, commissioned Bartholdi to create a replica to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Brazil.
The statue was owned by the Paranhos family until 1940. Guanabara State received the statue in 1940.
Carlos Lacerda, governor of Guanabara State, unveiled the statue in Miami Square, Bangu, on January 20, 1964.
It is a replica of New York City’s iconic Statue of Liberty.
It was given to Brazil by the people of France in 1922 as a symbol of their friendship and solidarity.
The statue shows a robed woman holding a torch in her right hand and a book in her left.
The book bears the date of Brazil’s independence, and the torch represents the light of liberty and freedom.
The statue, like the original, is made of copper and stands on a pedestal surrounded by four smaller statues representing the virtues of education, agriculture, industry, and justice.
Anyone visiting Brazil should pay a visit to the Rio de Janeiro Statue of Liberty Réplica.
The statue can be seen from a number of locations throughout the harbor, but the best view is from the boat that takes visitors on a tour of the harbor.
The boat ride is an excellent way to learn more about the statue’s history as well as the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Arraba Statue of Liberty
The Arraba Statue of Liberty is a stunning and inspiring sculpture located in the Israeli village of Arraba.
This statue, which stands 15 feet tall, is a replica of New York City’s famous Statue of Liberty.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original Statue of Liberty, the Arraba Statue of Liberty was erected in 1985.
It was a gift from the American-Israel Cultural Foundation, which wanted to commemorate Israel’s strong ties with the United States.
The statue is made of copper and stands on a granite pedestal.
It has a torch in its right hand and a tablet with the date of American independence in its left.
The face of the statue is modeled after that of a Jewish woman, symbolizing the two nations’ bond.
The beauty and significance of the Arraba Statue of Liberty often move visitors.
It serves as a reminder of the values that both Israel and the United States cherish.
The location of the statue in Arraba, a predominantly Arab town, also represents the diversity and unity of the Israeli people.
Overall, the Arraba Statue of Liberty is a beautiful and symbolic representation of Israel’s strong relationship with the United States.
It serves as a symbol of hope and freedom for all who see it and serves as a reminder of the values that both nations hold dear.
Tomb of the 72 Martyrs
The Tomb of the 72 Martyrs is a monument in China that honors the lives of 72 people who died while fighting for their beliefs.
The tomb represents the courage and sacrifice of these people who gave their lives in the pursuit of justice and freedom.
In the 1920s, the Statue of Liberty, China’s first of many copycats, was placed on top to symbolize the struggle for freedom.
Several times during China’s turbulent political history, it was forcibly removed and replaced.
Since 1981, a new replica of the statue has kept vigil for the 72 martyrs of Guangzhou.
Visiting the Tomb of the 72 Martyrs is a moving experience.
It is also a great way to learn more about China’s history and the sacrifices made by these courageous individuals.
It is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what one believes in, and it is an appropriate tribute to the 72 Martyrs.
Statue of Liberty in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is often referred to as the Paris of South America, but few people realize that it is also the continental equivalent of New York.
Not only because of the city’s hundreds of high-rise buildings, but also because of a pair of monuments modeled after their famous northern counterpart.
The Argentine replica of the Statue of Liberty, hidden in Barrancas de Belgrano Plaza, is 90M shorter than the original 93-meter-tall sculpture.
What this replica lacks in size, it more than makes up for in age, as it was inaugurated 25 days before its American counterpart on October 3, 1886.
You’re probably wondering how it’s even possible.
The truth is that this replica was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the same artist who created the original statue, but with cast iron instead of copper.
The statue was purchased by the city of Buenos Aires and was painted greenish to resemble its 25-day younger sister a few years later.
Interestingly, this sculpture is not the only New Yorker in town, as Manhattan Club Grand Café in Av. Cabildo boasts the iconic spire of the Chrysler Building, reaching a height of 30 meters.
The Statue of Liberty in Cadaqués, Spain
The Catalan town of Cadaqués on the Mediterranean coast is packed with numerous places to explore despite its small size.
It was visited for decades by famous artists who saw it as an inspirational location.
One of them was the internationally renowned artist Salvador Dali, who spent much of his childhood in the town.
He later, as an adult, bought a vacation home in the neighboring village of Portlligat, which now acts as a museum.
Dali, known for his unusual and surreal style of art, created his own version of the Statue of Liberty in 1972.
As you can probably imagine, it has all of the eccentricity we all associate with Dali.
Unlike Lady Liberty in America, Dali’s protagonist holds two torches aloft as if she were a cheerleader.
While the original statue is housed in the gardens of Vascoeuil Castle in France, Dali’s right-hand man, Peter Moore, donated a replica to Cadaqués as a token of the artist’s deep affection for this coastal town.
The sculpted lady was installed atop a small tourist office in 1994, and it has since been disfigured in response to regional protests.
The Statue of Liberty in Leicester
The directors of the Lennards Shoe Factory, returning from a business trip to New York City in 1919, decided to embellish their brand-new industrial complex with a replica of the famed statue after being deeply impressed by its iconic role.
The 5.8-meter-tall replica was sculpted by a local artist named Joseph Herbert Morcom.
It is placed on top of the shoe factory, which was soon rebranded as the Liberty Shoe Company.
The art-deco style factory was eventually demolished in 2003, but due to public outcry, the much-loved statue was restored in 2008.
It was relocated to a new location nearby, amid a traffic island across the Soar River.
The replica looks out over its former location, which is now occupied by a rather generic residential building at the intersection of Raw Dykes Rd and Walnut St.
The Statue of Liberty in Graz, Austria
The Lichtschwert, as it is locally known, was created in 1992 by artist Hartmut Skerbisch to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.
It is probably the furthest a Statue of Liberty replica has ever deviated from its original source of inspiration.
While this main structure may appear familiar at first glance, it actually has far more in common with its New York counterpart than one might think.
While this skeletal structure may appear familiar at first glance, it actually has far more in common with its New York counterpart than one might think.
The Statue of Liberty in Netivot, Israel
During the late 2010s and early 2020s, Oded Shriki, a local real-estate developer, was determined to change Netivot’s reputation.
He aimed to do this change by erecting a series of replicas of famous monuments across the city.
Along with his “Paris Center,” which featured a 32-meter-tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, he also built a commercial center near the central train station.
He erected a roughly 6-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty in the middle of a public parking lot.
Netivot’s crowned lady, unlike her distant and famous counterpart on Liberty Island, is bronze-colored and holds a sculpted apple.
Final Thoughts on How many Statues of Liberty are There
How many Statues of Liberty are there? The answer may surprise you: there are several replica Liberty Statues around the world.
The most famous and iconic statue is located on Liberty Island in New York City.
However, replicas can be found in Paris, Buenos Aires, and even Tokyo and many more places across the world.
There are also versions of the statue, such as those at the Statue of Liberty in Leicester and in Rio de Janeiro.
These numerous statues serve as a reminder of the Statue of Liberty’s enduring symbol of liberty and democracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did France Give the U.S the Second Statue of Liberty?
It was given as a symbol of friendship and alliance between the two countries.
The statue was a replica of the original in New York City, and it was intended to serve as a reminder of the shared values and ideals of freedom and democracy that both countries cherish.
The gift was intended to express gratitude to the United States for its assistance to France during the American Revolution, and it was viewed as a symbol of the two countries’ enduring bond.
Did France Want the Statue of Liberty Back?
It is unclear whether France desired the return of the Statue of Liberty.
On the one hand, the statue was a gift from France to the United States as a symbol of the two countries’ friendship and alliance.
As a result, it is possible to argue that France had no desire to reclaim it.
The statue, on the other hand, was designed and built by French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi and is a cultural and artistic treasure deeply rooted in French history and identity.
Some members of the French government or public may have wanted the statue returned as a symbol of national pride.
However, there is no concrete evidence that France ever attempted to reclaim the Statue of Liberty.
Why are There 7 Points on the Statue of Liberty?
The seven points there represent the rays of light and also the seven seas and continents.
The original name for the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” There are broken chains, or shackles, at her feet that also symbolize her freedom.
The statue was a gift to the United States from the people of France.
What is Buried Under the Statue of Liberty?
A secret box is buried under the Statue of Liberty.
A copy of the United States Constitution, a portrait of the statue’s designer, and 20 bronze medals, including this one of George Washington, are housed inside the secret box.
Does the Statue of Liberty Belong to NY or NJ?
The Statue of Liberty National Monument includes both the island and adjoining Ellis Island.
Despite being in New Jersey seas, Liberty Island and a section of Ellis Island are under the territorial jurisdiction of New York state.
Where is the second largest Statue of Liberty located?
Second Largest Statue of Liberty in Las Vegas
Where is the Biggest Statue of Liberty?
New York is home to the biggest Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty is a 305-foot (93-meter) statue located off the shore of New York City on Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay.
The statue represents liberty in the form of a woman. She holds a torch in her raised right hand and a tablet in her left.
Does Japan have a Statue of Liberty?
YES, Japan has a Statue of Liberty.
It was created as a temporary monument to Japan’s friendship with France in 1998, but the statue proved so popular that it was made a permanent feature in 2000.
What Three Things Does the Statue of Liberty Represent?
The Statue of Liberty represents several things, including:
Freedom and democracy: The Statue of Liberty was originally conceived as a symbol of the friendship between France and the United States and a sign of their mutual desire for liberty.
It was also meant to celebrate the abolition of slavery following the U.S. Civil War. Over the years, the statue has become a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, representing the United States itself.
Enlightenment: The torch held by Lady Liberty is a symbol of enlightenment, lighting the way to freedom and showing us the path to a better future.
Hope and opportunity: The Statue of Liberty is also known as the “Mother of Exiles,” greeting millions of immigrants and embodying hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life in America.
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