Koenig's 'Sphere' That Survived 9/11 Returns To World Trade Center Home After 16 Years

DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Sixteen years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks destroyed the Twin Towers and much of downtown Manhattan, one unexpected survivor of the dark day has returned to its original home. The "Sphere," the sculpture that was previously situated between the Twin Towers, miraculously survived the attacks.

The fountain sculpture, which was created by the legendary artist Fritz Koenig and was commissioned specifically for the towers, was badly damaged by the 2001 terrorist attacks but somehow maintained a recognizable form. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioned the work in the 1960s to stand at the center of the Austin J. Tobin Plaza, between the Twin Towers. It was intended to symbolize peace through world trade when it was first installed.

After the 25-foot-high sphere survived, it served as the centerpiece for an impromptu memorial in the wake of September 11th. It was installed in nearby Battery Park in 2002, where it was rededicated as New York City's interim memorial to the the victims. An eternal flame was installed with the sphere in Battery Park.

"I don't know what it looked like before, but it gives you chills now," atourist told the New York Times in 2002. "It can't be restored completely, and I don't think anyone will be restored completely. And I don't know that we should be."

Last year, the Port Authority voted to return the sphere to Liberty Park, where it sits overlooking One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial. The sphere was unveiled in the park last week. It will formally dedicated at a later date, the Port Authority said.

The "Sphere" is the most famous of Koenig's works. It is believed to be the only work of art in or around the World Trade Center to survive the attack. Koenig died in February before he was able to see his sculpture returned to its permanent home.

Lead image via Ciara McCarthy / Patch; secondary image via AP Photo/Ted Warren, Pool/File.