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Historical places

Statue of Lenin

4.2 · 834 reviews
Eclectic and unconventional
Statue of Lenin, 3526 Fremont Pl N, Seattle, WA 98103, United States
Interesting facts
1

The statue weighs approximately 7 tons.

2

It is currently the only life-sized bronze statue of Lenin located in the United States.

3

The statue is technically for sale, with the owner maintaining a listing price since the 1990s.

4

Local residents frequently decorate the statue with accessories, such as tutus or umbrellas, to reflect the neighborhood's bohemian culture.

5

The base of the statue contains internal steel reinforcement beams, which were added during its transport to Seattle.

Overview

The Fremont Lenin is a 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin located in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. Originally commissioned by the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, it was sculpted by Emil Venkov and installed in the town of Poprad in 1988. Following the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the statue was dismantled and destined for scrap metal. An American English teacher living in Slovakia purchased it in 1993, later transporting it to the United States to serve as a piece of public art. The statue is privately owned and has resided at its current intersection since 1995. It features stylized, militaristic elements, including soldiers holding machine guns and flames, departing from typical Soviet-era depictions. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce has historically maintained its placement as a symbol of the neighborhood's eccentric, self-declared 'Center of the Universe' persona. It remains one of the few prominent monuments of the communist leader preserved in a public space in the West.

Photo spot

Stand on the sidewalk across Fremont Place N to capture the statue against the backdrop of the Fremont storefronts.

Insider tips

Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Fremont Troll.

Check the statue's base for local stickers and current neighborhood flyers.

Visit during the daylight hours, as there is no specific lighting installation for the monument at night.

What to avoid

Do not mistake this for a government-maintained historical site; it is a privately held art installation on a vacant commercial lot.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
15-20 minutes
Best time to visit
Late morning on a weekend, when the neighborhood’s street markets and shops are fully active.
Address
Statue of Lenin, 3526 Fremont Pl N, Seattle, WA 98103, United States
47.651, -122.351
Get directions
Details
SculptorEmil Venkov
OriginPoprad, Czechoslovakia

Frequently asked

Plan for about 15-20 minutes to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Late morning on a weekend, when the neighborhood’s street markets and shops are fully active..

Stand on the sidewalk across Fremont Place N to capture the statue against the backdrop of the Fremont storefronts.

Close by you'll find Fremont Troll, Woodland Park Zoo, Gas Works Park.