7 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Statue of Liberty You Probably Didn’t Know

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but how much do we really know about it? Whether you’re planning a trip to New York or just love history, these 7 surprising facts will definitely impress you and your mates.

1. It was a gift... that nobody wanted to fund

France gifted the statue, but the US had to pay for the pedestal and struggled to raise the funds. It was media mogul Joseph Pulitzer who saved the project through a public fundraising campaign. Over 120,000 people donated, most giving less than $1.

2. It wasn’t always green

The Statue of Liberty is made of copper, and when it was unveiled in 1886, it gleamed with a shiny bronze colour. The iconic green look came from natural oxidation over time a chemical reaction that created the patina we see today.

3. It’s hit by lightning over 600 times a year

The statue’s height and metal frame make it a literal lightning rod. It’s been struck hundreds of times there are even dramatic photos capturing bolts hitting the torch or the crown.

4. It’s not actually in New York

Technically, Liberty Island belongs to New Jersey, not New York. But because it faces Manhattan, NYC gets all the credit.

5. There are broken chains at her feet

Hard to spot unless you’re really looking but there are broken chains and shackles beneath her robe. They symbolise freedom from tyranny and oppression.

6. She has sisters all over the world

There are replicas of the Statue of Liberty in Paris, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Buenos Aires and more. In fact, over 100 copies exist worldwide.

7. Her face was modelled after the sculptor’s mum

The statue’s creator, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, used his own mother as inspiration for Liberty’s face. Talk about a tribute.

GuTravel: Discover the World with the Spirit of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is more than a monument she’s a global symbol of hope, openness, curiosity, and the freedom to learn. She invites us to explore the world with open eyes, open hearts, and a desire to understand cultures beyond our own.

That very spirit lives in GuTravel.

Our app turns your camera into a smart cultural guide. Just take a photo of any monument, statue, artwork, natural element or traditional dish, and in seconds, you’ll know exactly what it is along with its story, fascinating facts and cultural insights.

Whether you’re walking through a city you’ve never visited or standing in front of a historic site, GuTravel gives you knowledge at your fingertips instantly, effortlessly.

📲 Download GuTravel and explore like Liberty herself: free to learn, free to wonder, free to see the world with new eyes.