The Sphere
Bronze sphere survived 9/11, now a memorial at Liberty Park.
The Sphere (officially Große Kugelkaryatide N.Y., also known as Sphere at Plaza Fountain, WTC Sphere or Koenig Sphere) is a monumental cast bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig. It stood between the Twin Towers on the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center in New York City from 1972 until the September 11 attacks, and was the only remaining work of art recovered largely intact from the ruins. Since then, the bronze sphere has become a memorial for the attacks, relocated first to Battery Park and later to Liberty Park, where it remains in its badly damaged condition as a symbol of resilience.
- artist
- Fritz Koenig
- nationality
- German
- field
- Sculpture
- material
- Cast bronze
- weight
- Over 20 tons
- height
- 25 feet (7.6 m)
- diameter
- 17 feet (5.2 m)
- installation_year
- 1971
Lore & Background
The creation of The Sphere dates to the 1960s and early 1970s, when Fritz Koenig was established as an artist in the United States. After World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki saw Koenig's work in a New York gallery, he asked Koenig to create a sculpture including a fountain for the space between the Twin Towers. Koenig was awarded the contract in 1967 by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The sculpture was made between late 1968/early 1969 and the end of 1971 in Ganslberg near Landshut, where Koenig lived. It was cast in bronze at the Munich art foundry Hans Mayr, then assembled and transported to New York via the port of Bremen. The Sphere, including its fountain, marked the center of the World Trade Center plaza and was a popular meeting place.
Reader's Guide
The Sphere is significant as the world's largest bronze sculpture of modern times and the only artwork recovered largely intact from the ruins of the collapsed Twin Towers after the September 11 attacks. Its survival transformed it from a decorative fountain piece into a powerful memorial. After being stored near a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport, it was re-erected in Battery Park on March 11, 2002, six months after the attacks, with a plaque calling it 'an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country'. In August 2017, the Port Authority moved it to Liberty Park, overlooking the September 11 Memorial and its original location. The sculpture was rededicated on August 16, 2017, and remains in the badly damaged condition it was found in, embodying both the tragedy and resilience of the event. Its journey from artwork to monument reflects the broader process of memorialization after 9/11.
Did You Know?
- The Sphere weighs over 20 tons and is 25 feet high with a diameter of 17 feet.
- It was the only remaining work of art recovered largely intact from the ruins of the collapsed Twin Towers.
- The sphere was stationary, but the fountain's water flow and the sculpture's design created an illusion of movement.
- Koenig called it his 'biggest child' and initially opposed reinstalling it, considering it 'a beautiful corpse'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created The Sphere and when was it installed?
German sculptor Fritz Koenig designed and cast the monumental bronze sphere, which was placed at the World Trade Center in 1972. Its full official title is Große Kugelkaryatide N.Y., though most fans simply call it the WTC Sphere or Koenig Sphere.
What are The Sphere's size and material?
The sculpture is a solid cast bronze ball roughly 25 feet (7.6 m) in diameter and weighing over 20 tons. Its sheer mass is part of what allowed it to survive the collapse of the towers around it.
Where was The Sphere originally displayed?
From 1972 until September 11, 2001, the sphere sat on the Austin J. Tobin Plaza directly between the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan. It was one of the most photographed pieces of public art in New York City.
What happened to The Sphere during the 9/11 attacks?
The bronze ball was the only major artwork recovered largely intact from the rubble of the collapsed towers. Its surface is now pitted, dented, and scorched, and fans treat those battle scars as a permanent memorial to the victims.
Where can you see The Sphere today?
After a temporary stop at Battery Park, the damaged sphere was relocated to Liberty Park, where it remains on public display in its scarred condition. It has become a focal point for 9/11 remembrance and a symbol of resilience for the surrounding community.
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