Description of the attraction
The Nicolaus Copernicus Monument is one of the most famous monuments in Warsaw, located in front of the Staszic Palace. The monument was erected in 1830.
The bronze three-meter sculpture of Copernicus was created by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1822. Nicolaus Copernicus is depicted with a compass in his right hand and an armillary sphere in his left hand. On both sides of the pedestal you can see memorable inscriptions: "NICOLAO COPERNICO GRATA PATRIA", which means "Nicholas Copernicus grateful homeland", and "MIKOŁAJOWI KOPERNIKOWI RODACY" - "Nicholas Copernicus compatriots." The monument was built partly with public donations, and partly with the funds of the scientist and philosopher Stanislav Stashits.
The grand opening of the monument took place in May 1830 in the presence of Tsarevich Konstantin Pavlovich. In 1939, after the beginning of the Nazi occupation, the Germans replaced the plaques on the monument with the German ones "Nicolaus Copernicus from the German nation." In February 1942, Polish soldiers tore down German inscriptions.
In 1944, after the Warsaw Uprising, during which the monument was damaged, the Germans decided to melt it down. To this end, the monument was removed and taken to the city of Nysa, where it was discovered by Polish soldiers. The monument was returned to Warsaw in July 1945 and sent to the restoration workshop. The unveiling of the restored monument took place on July 22, 1949.
Exact copies of the Polish monument to Nicolaus Copernicus are in Chicago and Montreal.
