History of The Sphere in Timeline

The Sphere is a large bronze sculpture created by German artist Fritz Koenig. The monumental artwork is known for its spherical form and artistic merit. Koenig, a prominent sculptor, created The Sphere as a significant piece within his body of work. It exemplifies modern sculpture and its impact on public spaces.

1924: Fritz Koenig's Birth

In 1924, Fritz Koenig, the German artist who created The Sphere, was born.

1964: Koenig Lecturer at Technical University of Munich

Since 1964, Fritz Koenig had been a lecturer at the Technical University of Munich.

1967: Koenig Awarded Contract for WTC Sculpture

In 1967, Fritz Koenig was awarded the contract by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to create a sculpture, including a fountain, for the space between the World Trade Center's twin towers.

1968: Construction of The Sphere Begins

In late 1968, construction of The Sphere began in Ganslberg near Landshut, where Fritz Koenig lived.

1969: Bronze Casting of The Sphere Begins

From 1969 the plaster elements of the sphere, dismantled into 67 individual parts, were cast in bronze in the Munich art foundry Hans Mayr.

1971: The Sphere Installed at World Trade Center

In 1971, The Sphere was installed on the World Trade Center's plaza and ceremoniously unveiled. The work of art was dedicated to "world peace through trade".

1971: Bronze Segments Assembled in Ganslberg

In 1971, the individual bronze segments with a total combined weight of seventeen tons were brought to the workshop in Ganslberg and assembled there.

1972: The Sphere Installed at the World Trade Center

In 1972, The Sphere, the world's largest bronze sculpture of modern times, was installed between the Twin Towers on the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center in New York City.

September 11, 2001: The Sphere Damaged in September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, The Sphere was damaged during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

2001: Koenig's Sphere Documentary

In 2001, the documentary "Koenig's Sphere" was released, focusing on the sculpture. The Sphere was the only remaining work of art to be recovered largely intact from the ruins of the collapsed Twin Towers after the September 11 attacks.

March 11, 2002: The Sphere Re-erected in Battery Park

On March 11, 2002, The Sphere was re-erected in Battery Park, near the Hope Garden, six months to the day after the attacks. The rededication ceremony was attended by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani, and Fritz Koenig.

September 11, 2002: Eternal Flame Ignited

On September 11, 2002, an eternal flame was ignited in honor of those who were lost in the September 11 attacks.

2002: The Sphere Installed in Battery Park

In 2002, The Sphere was installed in Battery Park as a temporary location.

February 2011: PANYNJ Undecided on Sphere's Location

In February 2011, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) had not made a final decision on where to place The Sphere once Battery Park construction commenced, requiring the sculpture to be moved, possibly into storage.

March 23, 2011: Online Petition for Sphere's Return

As of March 23, 2011, an online petition created by 9/11 families demanding the return of The Sphere to the 9/11 Memorial gained more than 7,123 signatures.

June 28, 2012: PANYNJ Supports Moving The Sphere

On June 28, 2012, PANYNJ expressed support for the effort to move The Sphere to the plaza of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

2012: Relocation of The Sphere Considered

In the summer of 2012, the city looked to relocate The Sphere when construction began to restore Battery Park's lawn.

2014: Liberty Park Construction

By 2014 Liberty Park was expected to be constructed.

June 2016: Liberty Park Opens

In June 2016, Liberty Park opened, but the question of The Sphere's location had not been resolved.

July 22, 2016: Port Authority Votes to Move The Sphere

On July 22, 2016, the Port Authority voted to move The Sphere to Liberty Park.

August 2017: PANYNJ Relocates The Sphere

In August 2017, PANYNJ relocated The Sphere to Liberty Park.

August 16, 2017: The Sphere Rededicated in Liberty Park

On August 16, 2017, The Sphere was rededicated at its permanent location in Liberty Park, overlooking the September 11 Memorial and its original location. The sculpture was kept in the badly damaged condition it was found in after the September 11 attacks.

September 6, 2017: The Sphere Unveiled in Liberty Park

On September 6, 2017, The Sphere was unveiled in its permanent home in Liberty Park, overlooking the World Trade Center site.

November 29, 2017: Ceremony Marking Return to World Trade Center Site

On November 29, 2017, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey held a ceremony at Liberty Park to mark The Sphere's return to the World Trade Center site.

2017: Fritz Koenig's Death

In 2017, Fritz Koenig, the German artist who created The Sphere, passed away.

June 2021: Publication of "THE SPHERE" Book

In June 2021, a limited edition of the book "THE SPHERE – Vom Kunstwerk zum Mahnmal / THE SPHERE – From Artwork to Memorial" was published, marking the 50th anniversary of the sculpture's installation.