The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen, known as "Den Lille Havfrue" in Danish, is a famous sculpture located in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark. Here is the story behind The Little Mermaid:

• Creation: The Little Mermaid sculpture was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen. It was commissioned by the son of a brewer, Carl Jacobsen, who was fascinated by the character from the fairy tale of the same name written by Hans Christian Andersen.
• Inspiration: The character of The Little Mermaid was taken from the famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The story tells the tragic tale of a mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and sacrifices her voice and fish tail to walk on land and be with him.
• Inauguration: The Little Mermaid sculpture was inaugurated on August 23, 1913, in the harbor of Copenhagen. The model for the sculpture was Ellen Price, a renowned ballet dancer of the time.
• Thefts and vandalism: Over the years, the sculpture has been the target of several acts of vandalism and thefts. It has been decapitated twice, and its left arm was cut off on one occasion. However, each time it has been damaged, it has been restored and returned to its original location.
• Tourist icon: The Little Mermaid has become one of the most recognized symbols of Copenhagen and an important tourist attraction. Thousands of tourists visit the sculpture each year to admire it and take photographs.
• Replicas: Due to the popularity of The Little Mermaid, several replicas have been created in different parts of the world, such as in California, USA; Hangzhou, China; and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

Despite its modest size (approximately 1.25 meters tall), The Little Mermaid sculpture in Copenhagen has captivated visitors from around the world and has become a cultural and tourist icon of the city. Despite acts of vandalism, its presence continues to be a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale and an important part of Danish heritage.