Little Mermaid Statue | Copenhagen

Information

Landmark: Little Mermaid Statue
City: Copenhagen
Country: Denmark
Continent: Europe

Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe

The Little Mermaid Statue is a bronze sculpture depicting a mermaid. It is situated on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie Promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Visual Characteristics

The statue is constructed from bronze, exhibiting a dark, patinated green finish. It stands approximately 1.25 meters tall and weighs around 175 kg. The sculpture portrays a mermaid with legs, positioned in a seated posture on a granite boulder.

Location & Access Logistics

The statue is located at Langelinie, 2100 Copenhagen Ø. It is approximately 3 km Northeast of Copenhagen's city center (Rådhuspladsen). Public transport options include Bus line 26, which stops near Langelinie. Østerport Station is approximately 1.5 km away. Canal tours frequently pass by the statue. Limited street parking may be available on adjacent streets; paid parking garages are located further inland.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The statue was unveiled on August 23, 1913. It was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen. The commission came from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen, who was inspired by a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid."

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view the statue from the promenade. Photography of the sculpture and the harbor background is a primary activity. Walking along the Langelinie promenade is also common.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public restrooms are available further along the Langelinie promenade, not directly at the statue's immediate vicinity. Direct shade at the statue is minimal, though trees line parts of the promenade. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally strong. Kiosks and cafes are located along the Langelinie promenade, a short walk from the statue.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is early morning or late afternoon to benefit from softer light and fewer crowds. The months of May to September offer milder temperatures and less precipitation. Tide requirements are not applicable, as the statue remains visible above water at all times.

Facts & Legends

The statue has been subjected to vandalism on multiple occasions, including instances of decapitation and arm removal. In 1964, the statue's head was stolen and never recovered; a replacement head was cast from the original mold. The sculptor's wife, Eline Eriksen, served as the model for the statue's body, as the prima ballerina Ellen Price declined to pose nude.