Where: The
Mall, SW1
What: The
queen victoria memorial takes pride of place in front of Buckingham
Palace. Made of some 2,300 tonnes of white marble, with a 13
feet tall statue of the Queen, groups on the remaining
sides representing Victorian virtues such as charity, justice,
truth, motherhood and courage, and topped by a golden winged
'victory', it is easy to see
why this memorial
has become known as the “wedding cake”!
The queen
victoria memorial is an imposing and tall edifice by the sculptor
Thomas
Brock, with
the surround by the architect Sir Aston Webb. Standing some 82
feet tall, it was conceived in 1901 soon after the death of the
queen.
The memorial was to be the symbolic hub of
the Empire
and
the centerpiece
for
Webbs Mall plan, which included Admiralty
Arch,
widening of the Mall and a new front for Buckingham
Palace.
It was completed in 1911.
The memorial
looks best at night, when there is a contrast between the dark
bronze
figures, and the brightly
lit white marble centre, and
the sheer sculptural massiveness can be appreciated.
Nearest
underground station: St
James’s Park, Victoria or Green Park
London
Hotels (these links are to another website)