There are plenty of noteworthy landmarks in Virginia Beach, ranging from the iconic boardwalk to the King Neptune Statue. But what about the other, less prominent boardwalk statue? Known as the Norweigan Lady, this poignant statue that was imported from Norway has a fascinating and heart-wrenching history.

The Norweigan Lady Statue is a beautiful statue looking over the ocean in Virginia Beach that can be found along the boardwalk at 2500 Atlantic Ave.
Joshua Shuttlesworth / Google
Its history dates back to 1891 when the Norweigan Dictator suffered a shipwreck off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Wikipedia
The ship was en route to West Hartlepool, England from Pensacola, Florida with a cargo full of lumber. After encountering several storms off the Atlantic, the ship re-routed towards the Chesapeake Bay where it was driven aground on a sandbar.
A little while after the shipwreck, the ship's figurehead washed ashore. The manager of the Princess Anne Hotel had it placed upright facing the ocean near the boardwalk to commemorate the lives lost during the event. The
Wikipedia
Photographed above is a 1918 postcard of the original Norwegian Lady Figurehead Memorial.

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The original figurehead became eroded and worn and, in an effort to protect it from the elements, was misplaced. Word spread all the way to Norway, where a campaign was started to raise money for a replacement memorial.
Catherine / flickr
Thanks to the campaign efforts in both Virginia Beach and Moss, Norway, enough funds were gathered to commission two statues by Norwegian sculptor Ørnulf Bast. Virginia Beach and Moss officially became sister cities in sister cities in 1974.
Bill Dickinson / Getty Images
Visit the memorial today and you won't help but feel the heartbreak and reverence of the statue. Inscribed are the words "I am the Norwegian Lady. I stand here, as my sister before me, to wish all men of the sea safe return home."
Ron Mosocco / Google

Did you know about the famous Virginia Beach attraction known as the Norweigan Lady? What are your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you!

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Norwegian Lady, 2500 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA