Não dá para imaginar uma visita à New York sem ver a Estátua da Liberdade, é como ir ao Rio de Janeiro e não ver o Cristo Redentor!!! Existem várias opções para tanto: um passeio pelo Battery Park; um passeio de ferry nas proximidades ou até mesmo uma ida até a ilha em que ela está situada. Seja como o for, não deixe de apreciá-la.
Estátua da Liberdade: idealizada pelo escultor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, este símbolo americano foi presente da França em 1886, sendo inaugurada em 28 de outubro do mesmo ano, após 21 anos entre projeto e construção.
Embora tenha sido reaberta nos últimos anos, a visitação à corroa e ao interior da estátua voltou a ser suspensa para obras de melhoria na segurança e restauro pelo prazo de um ano.
Algumas curiosidades:
üEm sua base está gravado o seguinte poema: “Venham a mim os exaustos, os pobres, as massas confusas ansiando por respirar liberdade”.
üA estrutura interna é projeto de Gustave Eiffel, o mesmo engenheiro responsável pela Torre Eiffel.
üOriginalmente no local existia um forte, que inclusive serviu de alicerce para a sua estrutura.
üO rosto da estátua foi inspirado no da mãe do escultor.
üOs 7 raios da corroa representam os 7 mares.
üA tocha dourada foi restaurada e folheada a ouro no ano de 1986, para comemorar o seu centenário. A original está em um museu que fica na base da estátua.
üSão 93m de altura do chão à tocha, 225 toneladas e 354 degraus da entrada à coroa.
Caso pretenda fazer o passeio que desembarca na ilha, o que é muito bacana, pois é possível apreciar não só a estátua de perto, como também o inconfundível skyscraper de Manhattan, prepare-se para um rigoroso procedimento de segurança, algo como se fosse um embarque em aeroporto. Mas vale a pena sim!
Sugiro a leitura de algumas informações importantes do site oficial: “BEFORE YOU BOARD THE BOAT. Visitors and their belongings are subject to inspection. The National Park Service appreciates your patience and understanding of these procedures and the additional time that may be required. SECURITY AND SAFETY GUIDELINES:
- Visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island must pass through primary security screening (similar to airport security procedures) before boarding the ferry system.
- It is recommended that you include ample time and maintain a flexible schedule to include security screening and boarding the ferry.
- Please note that there are no locker storage facilities at the ferry terminals.
- Please keep in mind that wait times can be several hours, particularly during peak seasons.
- In case of an emergency – please contact a U.S. Park Police Officer or a National Park Service Ranger.
Prohibited Items at the Park:
- All weapons, including firearms, knives, mace etc., any dangerous items, and any “dual-use” items that could be dangerous are strictly prohibited in the park and on the ferry system.
- Do not carry any of these type items into the security screening area. Items that are confiscated will not be returned. If you are unsure about an item, please do not bring it.
- LARGE* packages, suitcases, carry-on luggage and other large parcels will not be permitted on the ferry systems or at Liberty and Ellis Islands.
ON LIBERTY ISLAND
- There is no access above the pedestal level until July 4, 2009. STATUE OF LIBERTY CROWN RESERVATION SYSTEM – Beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) on June 13, 2009, reservations to access the crown of the Statue of Liberty may be made through the park’s concessioner Web site at www.statuecruises.com or by phone at 877- LADY-TIX (877-523-9849).
- A “Monument Pass” is needed to enter the monument. If you have a “monument pass”, your ferry ticket will have the words “monument access” written on it.
- All visitors with a monument pass must pass through secondary screening on Liberty Island before entering the monument.
- Secondary screening may take up to an hour, especially during the summer and holiday periods.
- “Monument Pass” holders will be able to enter the Museum Gallery and visit the top of pedestal.
- Monument passes are available free from the ferry company with the purchase of a ferry ticket. Your ferry ticket will have the words “monument access” written on it.
- You can order advance tickets by calling the ferry company at: 1-877-LADY-TIX (1-877-523-9849 or on-line)
- A limited number of monument passes are available each day from the ferry company on a first-come, first-served basis. If you get a monument pass, your ferry ticket will have “monument access” written on it.
- Lockers, for small items, are available at Liberty Island.
- Backpacks, strollers, parcels etc. will not be allowed inside the monument. (cameras, handbags, and small personal items are exempt).
- Please keep in mind that there is no eating, drinking, or smoking inside the National Monument.
- During the summer and holiday periods we suggest making your reservations early.
ON ELLIS ISLAND
- All ferry tickets include complete access to Ellis Island.”
Endereço: Elis Island. Deve-se pegar uma balsa para a ilha a partir do Battery Park, os tickets são comprados dentro do Castle Cinton.
Segundo o site oficial: “The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island are located in Lower New York Harbor, slightly over one mile from Lower Manhattan. Liberty and Ellis Islands are accessible by ferry service only. Ferries are operated by Statue Cruises from New York and New Jersey. One round trip ferry ticket includes visits to both islands. The docking of private vessels is strictly prohibited.
Ferry Service from New York: Purchase round-trip ferry tickets at Castle Clinton National Monument in Lower Manhattan. Ferries from New York operate on a loop, stopping first at Liberty Island and then at Ellis Island before returning to Battery Park, New York.
Battery Park by subway: take the 1 train to the South Ferry station, 4 or 5 train to the Bowling Green station or R/W train to the Whitehall Street station. Check the NYC Transit Authority for latest service changes. For complete subway information call the New York City Transit Authority at: 718 330-1234.
Battery Park, NY by bus: take the M15 (East Side) marked “South Ferry” or the M6 (West Side) from 57th Street.
Ferry Service from New Jersey: Purchase round trip ferry tickets at the Central Railroad Terminal Building and Museum in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ . Ferries from Liberty State Park operate on a loop, stopping first at Ellis Island and then at Liberty Island before returning to Liberty State Park, New Jersey.
Liberty State Park and Jersey City by bus: take the Central Avenue bus from platform A3 at the Journal Square Terminal in Jersey City to Liberty State Park.
Liberty State Park by Lightrail: The Hudson-Bergen Lightrail train provides service through the Jersey City, NJ area and has a station at Liberty State Park about 1 mile from the ferry location. For more information on schedules, fares, service etc. call: 1-800 772-2222 (TTY) 1-800 772-2287.
Newark Penn Station: Take the PATH subway to Exchange Place in Jersey City. Then take the Light Rail to Liberty State Park. From there, take the shuttle bus to the ferry slip.
Hoboken Train / PATH subway / Bus station: Take the Light Rail to Liberty State Park. From there, take the shuttle bus to the ferry slip.
Journal Square, Jersey City: Take the PATH subway to Exchange Place in Jersey City. Then take the Light Rail to Liberty State Park. From there, take the shuttle bus to the ferry slip.”
Horário: set-jun diariamente das 9:30 às 17hs. Segundo o site oficial: “Current Park Hours: 8:30am – 6:15 pm. Hours are adjusted seasonally and during holiday periods. Summer 2009 Season: From May 23 through September 7th, the first ferries to Liberty Island and Ellis Island will depart at 8:30 AM. The last boat off of Liberty Island is at 6:15, from Ellis Island at 6:30. If you wish to visit both island’s, we strongly suggest arriving on a ferry leaving mainland by 1PM. Our highest visitation occurs during the months of June through September. Visitation can be high during holiday and weekend periods throughout the year. Please note that visitors choosing to arrive on the final ferry departure from mainland will need to choose one island to visit. Time constraints late in the day will not permit to visit both sites. You must factor in security clearance and ferry transportation times when planning your trip. Liberty and Ellis Islands are open daily except December 25th.”
$$$: segundo o site oficial: “Entrance Fees – None. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry Fees: $12.00 – Ages 13+ – Day; $10.00- Seniors 62 and over – Day; $5.00- Children 4-12. – Day
There is an additional fee to reserve a ticket to the crown. See the reservation link below for more details. Details: There is no entrance fee to enter the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. National Park Passes only apply to entrance fees. Ferry fees: $12.00 – ages 13+. $10.00 – Senior Citizens (62 and over. $5.00 – Children 4 – 12. Reservations and Monument Access: All visitors regardless of their selected ticket option are permitted to visit the Liberty Island grounds and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. You may select the ticket option that meets your needs on line at www.statuecruises.com or calling 1-877-LADY-TIX (1-877-523-9849).”
Site oficial: www.nps.gov/stli
Elis Island: dizem que metade da população dos EUA tem relação com esta ilha pois ela foi utilizada entre 1892 e 1954 como centro de recepção de aproximadamente 12 milhões de imigrantes. O prédio principal é atualmente um museu da imigração nos EUA, lá os imigrantes eram examinados por médicos e compravam as passagens de trem para as várias regiões do país, sendo inclusive mais baratas aquelas para as cidades do oeste – para favorecer a ocupação nas áreas então menos habitadas.
Endereço: Elis Island
Horário: diariamente das 8:30 às 17:15hs (no inverno os horários podem variar)
$$$: “Museum Entrance Fee: None. Ferry Transportation Fee: $12.00 – Ages 13+ – Day; $10.00- Seniors 62 and over – Day; $5.00- Children 4-12. – Day”
Site oficial: www.nps.gov/elis
Staten Island Ferry: é um passeio gratuito pela baía de New York, com boas vistas da Estátua da Liberdade, Elis Island e do skyscraper da cidade. As balsas partem do Battery Park e funcionam 24hs/dia.
Endereço: Whitehall St.
Horário: 24 horas
$$$: grátis
Site oficial: www.siferry.com
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