If you find yourself walking through Liberty Park, just south of the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, you will encounter a striking sculpture with visible scars—a haunting reminder of tragedy and survival. This is The Sphere, created by German sculptor Fritz Koenig, and it holds a unique place in the history of the World Trade Center.
Commissioned in 1968, The Sphere was designed at the request of Minoru Yamasaki, the architect of the original World Trade Center. Weighing 22 tons, the bronze sculpture became the centerpiece of the Plaza Fountain between the Twin Towers. Remarkably, it could rotate, completing a full turn every 15 minutes, symbolizing harmony through motion.
A Survivor of 9/11
When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, The Sphere was buried beneath the immense rubble. Despite the devastation, it remained largely intact, making it the only artwork from the World Trade Center to survive the attacks. The sculpture’s recovery brought a powerful symbol of endurance to the forefront.
On March 11, 2002, The Sphere was relocated to Battery Park as a temporary memorial to the victims of 9/11. Koenig himself oversaw its reinstallation, although he initially expressed doubts about re-erecting the damaged piece. Its battered appearance, left intentionally unrepaired, became a poignant reminder of loss and resilience.
The Debate Over Its Final Home
The construction of the 9/11 Memorial raised questions about the future of The Sphere. Memorial officials resisted placing it at the new plaza, citing design principles that emphasized “the absence of the vertical.” Additionally, structural concerns arose because the plaza’s surface serves as a roof for the 9/11 Memorial Museum and PATH train station, requiring significant reinforcement to support the sculpture’s immense weight.
Meanwhile, Battery Park officials also objected to keeping The Sphere, viewing its installation there as a temporary solution. They were concerned about the growing number of memorials in the park, fearing it would feel like a “necropolis.”
A Permanent Home at Liberty Park
Advocates, including Michael Burke and other 9/11 families, fought to have The Sphere moved to the 9/11 Memorial. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the sculpture, supported this idea, stating, “This is an artifact that survived and was affected by the horrors of 9/11, and placing it at the memorial is entirely appropriate.”
Finally, on September 6, 2017, The Sphere was unveiled at its permanent location in Liberty Park. Overlooking the rebuilt World Trade Center site, it now stands as a powerful symbol of survival, memory, and hope.
Visitors can still see the damage sustained during the attacks. These scars have been deliberately preserved, transforming the sculpture into a profound testament to endurance and the indelible impact of history.
How to find The Sphere?
At Liberty Park, the previous location of the World Trade Center, close to the St. Nicholas National Shrine.