Taking advantage of yesterday's International Tourism Day, we thought it would be a good idea to take you on a trip around Europe to tell you about the most famous sculptures you can see around our continent. Take note because they'll be the first ones you'll have to see the next time you pack your bags and board a plane. Would you like to discover them with us?
The Little Mermaid (Copenhagen, Denmark)
One of Copenhagen's most visited monuments and a symbol of Danish culture, this monument was designed by Edvard Eriksen and, as you might imagine, was inspired by the character from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish writer.
This bronze sculpture stands in Copenhagen's harbor bay on rocks jutting out into the sea, reminiscent of the famous scene from the film when Ariel sets out to see the prince for the first time.
The Old Shoes (Budapest, Hungary)
This is perhaps one of the saddest monuments in existence. It is a series of shoes of different models and sizes located on the banks of the Danube River. This work of art is inspired by a key historical moment in Hungarian history: the moment when men, women, and children were forced to remove their shoes just before being murdered and thrown into the river. This event took place between 1944 and 1945, and, as you might have guessed, we are talking about the representation of Holocaust victims. In total, 60 pairs of shoes can be seen between the Chain Bridge and the Budapest Parliament.
Statue of Saint Sophia (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Georgi Chapkanov is the designer of this sculpture located in the heart of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It features Saint Sophia, the city's patron saint, perched atop a column. This is the most recent statue we're going to discuss, as it was erected in 2000 to replace a statue of Lenin that previously stood in the same location.
The Budva Dancer (Budva, Montenegro)
The sculpture of the Budva Dancer, located in the city to which its name refers and which is also Montenegro's most popular tourist destination, is one of the most iconic monuments you'll find there. It stands next to the path leading to Mogren Beach, in an unbeatable location.
Legend has it that there was a dancer (or gymnast) whose boyfriend was a sailor, and one day he didn't return from his shift at sea. From that day on, she would go there every morning to dance, waiting for her boyfriend to return, until he finally died without ever seeing her again. Inspired by this story, a local artist decided to sculpt this monument that represents love and fidelity.
Famous European sculptures
We wanted to review some of the most beautiful European sculptures in existence, but without mentioning those as well-known as Michelangelo's David or Stonehenge. Our goal is to encourage you to explore works of art that are very interesting and well-known, even if they might not always be on everyone's lips. If you have any suggestions you'd like to see included in this list, please let us know!
And if you're also curious about sculpture and want to start carving your own, here you'll find all the tools you'll need to sculpt stone. Did this article inspire you? If so, join our community; you can follow us here on our social media.
