Nicolaus Copernicus Monument
Monument in Warsaw
Standing proudly on Krakowskie Przedmieście in front of the Staszic Palace, the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument is one of Warsaw’s most iconic landmarks. Designed by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1822 and unveiled in 1830, the bronze statue depicts Copernicus seated, holding a compass and an armillary sphere, symbolizing his revolutionary contributions to astronomy.
Copernicus famously proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, placing the Sun—not Earth—at its center. This bold idea challenged centuries of belief and laid the foundation for modern astronomy. The monument’s pedestal bears inscriptions in both Latin and Polish, honoring him as a national hero:
- Nicolo Copernico Grata Patria (“To Nicolaus Copernicus [from a] Grateful Nation”)
- Mikołajowi Kopernikowi Rodacy (“To Mikołaj Kopernik [from his] compatriots”)
During World War II, the monument became a symbol of resistance. After German occupiers replaced the original inscriptions with a German plaque, Polish underground activist Maciej Aleksy Dawidowski removed it in a daring act of defiance in 1942.
The Nicolaus Copernicus Monument appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Warsaw!
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Visiting Nicolaus Copernicus Monument
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Statue in Warsaw
