Liberation Sculpture
Liberation Square, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands
Rating: 4.5 ★ (329 ratings)
Details
The Liberation Sculpture is a poignant and powerful memorial in Liberation Square, St Helier, Jersey, unveiled on May 9, 1995, by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jersey's liberation from German occupation during World War II. Created by sculptor Philip Jackson, the bronze sculpture depicts a group of joyous islanders holding aloft a Union Flag, symbolizing the moment of freedom. The design includes symbolic elements: the plinth represents the island, the sculpture itself represents the people, the surrounding moat signifies the sea, and twelve fountains represent the twelve parishes of Jersey.
The sculpture quickly became a popular landmark and a significant gathering place. It stands in Liberation Square, which itself was officially opened as part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations. The main building beside the square served as the German Harbour Office during the Occupation and was where the Union Flag was first raised by Allied troops upon liberation. The creation of the sculpture was not without controversy, as the initial design faced public criticism and was subsequently altered.
Location
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Contact
[email protected] (Imperial War Museums for memorial queries)
Comments
If you have any interest in history or the occupation of Jersey in World War Two, the look of relief that the statues display is totally understandable.
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Having already spent some time in the war tunnels I new a little bit of the history. It was weird for me to sit here and imagine the joy of the people when they heard the news.