In
1878 the Town Council of Paris (the Radicals
and the Socialists) proposed to build
a monument designed to celebrate the power
and the glory of the French Republic and
their capital. To be located in the heart
of Paris, a designer wasn’t found
until 1880. The site itself wasn’t
completed until 1883.
The central spire holds aloft a bronze
statue of the Republic. Its right hand
tightens around an olive branch while
its left arm supports the “Tables
of the Law” (on which are engraved
"Human right thereafter"). Around
the centre of the pillar are three large
detached stone pillars; they represent
“Freedom” holding broken irons
and a torch, “Equality” holding
the Tricolour and a level, and “Fraternity”
surrounded by agricultural attributes
and children.
The stone pedestal to the east girds twelve
bronzes, which are connected by rosettes.
They represent the major events that caused
the birth of the Republic, between 1789
and 1880. A green bronze lion (lying at
the foot of the monument in front of a
ballot box) symbolizes the “vote
for all”.
Place
De La Republique Travel Links |
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