The Little Mermaid Statue

famous statues · Denmark · art

A tiny bronze statue. The Little Mermaid sculpture is only 1.25 meters tall (about as tall as a fifth-grader), but it sits on a rock by the water in Copenhagen, Denmark, and people visit from all around the world to see it.

Carved by an artist. A sculptor named Edvard Eriksen created this statue over 100 years ago to show a mermaid transforming into a human form.

Surprisingly heavy. Even though the statue looks delicate, it weighs 175 kilograms, which is about as heavy as two baby grand pianos.

Sits by the sea. The statue perches on a rock at Langelinie Promenade, a waterside path in Copenhagen where people enjoy walking and admiring the view.

World famous landmark. This little statue has become one of the most recognized sculptures in the world, representing Copenhagen and inspiring a famous fairy tale.