Key Element Of Golden Capitol Sculpture Departing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – One of the most recognizable statues in Minnesota is getting a bit of a makeover.

The quadriga charioteer figure, part of the big gold and copper statue on top of the Capitol, needs repairs after several years of harsh Minnesota winters.

Crews took the charioteer down Monday, and it'll stay down for at least the next few months.

The entire quadriga is called "The Progress of the State," and it was placed atop the Capitol in 1906, just after the building opened to the public.

It has several different parts. The four horses represent earth, wind, water, and fire — the forces of nature. The two women and flanks of horses represent civilization, and the charioteer embodies prosperity.

The main idea is that the state should thrive on Minnesota's natural resources and agriculture.

State officials say the last time the whole statue came down was 1994. Now, it needs repairs again.

"The support underneath [the charioteer] has been suffering from some corrosion that it will have a destabilizing effect for charioteer over time," said Matt Massman, the governor's deputy chief of staff.

The charioteer figure will be down for three months, but if winter weather makes things difficult, it'll go back up in spring.
The whole Capitol renovation will be done 2017 session, hopefully.

Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, but the statue hasn't had to come down too often. The entire thing came down last in 1994, and before that in 1949.