The Little Mermaid statue is an iconic sculpture located in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. Inspired by the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, it has become one of the city’s most famous symbols.
The statue is a bronze sculpture depicting a little mermaid sitting on a rock by the shore. It was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen in 1913 and placed on a granite pedestal by the waterfront near the harbor.
Inspiration for the creation of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen
Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” follows the story of a young mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and desires to become a human herself to be with him. Inspired by this tale, sculptor Edvard Eriksen created the bronze sculpture of the Little Mermaid (Den lille havfrue) sitting on a rock by the shore, a faithful depiction of the character from the fairy tale.
Brief summary of the Little Mermaid story
In the depths of the sea lived a little mermaid who was dissatisfied with her life under the sea. One day, while swimming towards the surface, she saw a ship where sailors were dancing and singing. She fell in love with the prince who was on the ship and saved him from drowning when the ship sank.
The mermaid desperately wanted to become a human so she could be with the prince, so she went to the sea witch who gave her a potion that would give her a human form, but with the condition that she would lose her voice. The mermaid agreed to the condition and drank the potion, transforming into a beautiful young woman.
Now as a human being, the mermaid tried to win the prince’s heart, but he fell in love with another girl whom he had rescued from drowning. Although heartbroken, the mermaid wanted to see her beloved’s happiness and decided to return to the sea. When she permanently lost her voice, she turned into sea foam, but her good deed was rewarded, and she was given the opportunity to become part of humanity’s soul.
Despite its small and simple appearance, the statue attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world who come to see and photograph it. However, it is important to note that the statue is somewhat smaller than many expect, so visitors are sometimes surprised by its size. Our guide during the boat ride emphasized not to be disappointed because “many expect the Little Mermaid to be the size of the Statue of Liberty” :).
The Little Mermaid statue has been relocated several times throughout history.
It has become not only a tourist attraction but also a symbol of the city of Copenhagen and the Danish people.
In 1964, the statue was temporarily removed for cleaning and restoration before being returned to its original location. Since then, it has remained in the same spot by the harbor in Copenhagen, where it has become one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions.
The Little Mermaid statue has been exhibited at several Expo fairs. One example is the Expo ’58 held in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958. During this event, the statue was temporarily relocated to the exhibition to showcase the Danish artist Edvard Eriksen and became known worldwide. Additionally, the Little Mermaid has been displayed at other events and exhibitions worldwide to promote Danish culture and art.
How to find the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen
The statue of the Little Mermaid is located by the harbor, on a small stone pedestal in Langelinie Park, near the Kastellet fortress, at the address Langelinie, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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