Mermaid copenhagen

The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen is an iconic bronze statue by the waterfront, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

About this subject

The Little Mermaid statue, located in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of the most photographed monuments in the world. Created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and inaugurated on August 23, 1913, the bronze piece measures only 1.25 meters in height and weighs about 175 kilograms. The work was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of the Carlsberg brewery, after he was enchanted by a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

The figure represents the character from the 1837 fairy tale, which tells the story of a young mermaid who falls in love with a human prince. Over the years, the statue has suffered various interventions: it was beheaded twice (in 1964 and 1998), had an arm sawed off (1984), and was painted with flashy colors in political protests. Despite this, it remains a tourist and cultural icon, attracting millions of visitors annually.

Curiously, there are official replicas of the statue in other parts of the world, such as in Solvang, California (USA), and in Beijing (China). The Copenhagen version, however, is the original and rests on a granite block at the water's edge, in the Langelinie district. Due to its exposed seaside location, the statue often shows green patina from bronze oxidation, which is cleaned periodically.

The Little Mermaid is more than a postcard: it represents Denmark's connection to literature and the sea. Andersen's tale, with its themes of sacrifice and unrequited love, resonates culturally to this day. Although many tourists expect a larger statue, the intimacy of its life-size scale contributes to its charm and the feeling of closeness to the literary character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Little Mermaid statue located in Copenhagen?

The statue is located in Copenhagen's harbor, in the Langelinie district, on a granite block at the water's edge, near the Kastellet fortress.

How tall is the Little Mermaid statue?

The statue measures only 1.25 meters (4.1 feet) in height, which surprises many visitors who expect a larger figure.

Why has the statue been damaged multiple times?

The Little Mermaid has been targeted by vandalism over the years, including beheadings and paint coatings, often as a form of political or artistic protest.