The Sphere, a Symbol of Resilience After 9/11, Is Unveiled at Liberty Park
The iconic Koenig Sphere was unveiled on Wednesday morning at its new home at the World Trade Center’s Liberty Park. The Sphere, designed by German sculptor Fritz Koenig, became a symbol of hope and resilience following the 9/11 attacks.
The 25-foot metallic sculpture was originally a commissioned centerpiece of the World Trade Center Plaza. It stood at the site from 1971 until Sept. 11, 2001. Despite being visibly damaged in the attack, it remained structurally intact – a striking image amid the utter destruction of the site.
On March 11, 2002, the sphere was re-erected and rededicated in Battery Park as a memorial to the victims of 9/11. The Port Authority voted last year to return it to World Trade Center site.
By 9/11 Memorial Staff
Past a long stretch of steamy blacktop, near fields where ROTC cadets and soccer players practice their respective drills, lays a pastoral oasis, tucked behind John Bowne High School in Flushing, Queens.
Survivors of the 9/11 attacks have learned to cope with a range of trauma, from survivor guilt to post-traumatic stress disorder. But out of this pain emerged a wide-ranging community of evacuees ready to support one another.