 Monument to Copernicus, inscribed: "Nicolaus Copernicus Thorunensis, terrae motor, solis caelique stator" | |
 Interactive map of Nicolaus Copernicus Monument | |
| Location | Toruń, Poland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°00′37″N18°36′18″E / 53.01028°N 18.60500°E /53.01028; 18.60500 |
| Beginning date | 1852 |
| Completion date | 1853 |
| Dedicated to | Nicolaus Copernicus |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Designated | 1997 |
| Part of | Medieval Town of Toruń |
| Reference no. | 835 |
| Designated | 8 September 1994 |
| Part of | Toruń – Old and New Town |
| Reference no. | M.P. z 1994 r. Nr 50, poz. 422[1] |
TheNicolaus Copernicus Monument in Toruń is a monument of astronomerNicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) erected in hishome town in 1853 by a "monument committee" of the city's residents.
KingFrederick the Great ofPrussia (1712–1786) intended[2] to erect a monument at Copernicus' grave inFrauenburg (Frombork), but the grave could not be located.
AstronomerNicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) lived inThorn (Toruń), then in theKingdom of Poland, for many years. In the late 18th century,Poland was partitioned and the city of Thornpassed to Prussia. From 1807 to 1813, the city was part of theDuchy of Warsaw, governed byFrederick Augustus I of Saxony. A monument to Copernicus was then planned by thePolish scientist andphilosopherStanisław Staszic, after he had heard thatNapoleon had expressed surprise during a visit to Thorn in 1807 that there was no monument there to Copernicus. Polish Roman Catholic clergy likewise supported the erection of a monument. In 1809 Napoleon commissionedBertel Thorvaldsen[3] and on Staszic's initiative, acornerstone was laid for a monument.[4] However, at the time, Prussian authorities, who were still nominally in charge of the city, would not approve the full construction of the monument.[citation needed] The fall of Napoleon ended the existence of theDuchy of Warsaw, restoring full control of Thorn to the Prussian authorities and delaying the Thorn monument project and eventually forcing Staszic to change the venue toWarsaw, in theRussian part of Poland, where themonument designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen was completed in 1830.[5]
After the Napoleonic Wars, Thorn was made part of theKingdom of Prussia, and local German citizens campaigned for and received the go-ahead for the monument that was eventually completed in that city in 1853.[4]
On 19 February 1839, the astronomer's birthday, a committee of twelve citizens was founded to promote a monument. In May 1839 KingFrederick William III of Prussia approved the collection of donations, but he died soon afterward, and it wasFrederick William IV who donated the largest share of the money, 3,466Prussian thalers. The total cost was 10,449 thalers,[6] almost half of which was for the casting in bronze by Fischer inBerlin. The clay model was the last work ofChristian Friedrich Tieck (1776–1851).[6]
The statue, twice-life-size on a 16-foot pedestal, was in 1856 considered one of only eight monuments to Copernicus.[7] Having fulfilled its task, the committee continued its activities as a society calledCoppernicus-Verein für Wissenschaft und Kunst zu Thorn (Copernicus Association for Science and Art in Thorn). For many years the Association was headed byLeopold Prowe.
The monument presents Copernicus inacademic dress.[4] His left hand holds anastrolabe, and his right index finger points to the heavens.[4] This symbolizes Copernicus' connection withastronomy and celestial studies. The monument is surrounded by stone benches and an adjoining stonewater well.
The pedestal bears aLatin inscription drawn up byAlexander von Humboldt:[6][8] "Nicolaus Copernicus Thorunensis, terrae motor, solis caelique stator" ("Nicolaus Copernicus of Thorun, mover of the earth, stopper of the sun and heavens").[4]
In 2003, on the 150th anniversary of its construction, the monument was renovated. As part of the renovations, the stonewater well and the dolphin's mouth at the foot of the statue were restored.[4] Celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the monument were held on 25 October 2003, attended by theMarshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland,Marek Borowski.[4]
