Statue of Lord Nelson, Birmingham facts for kids
The Statue of Horatio Nelson is a famous bronze statue in the Bull Ring area of Birmingham, England. It was created by a sculptor named Richard Westmacott. This statue honors Lord Nelson, who was a very important admiral in the British Navy. He is remembered for his bravery and for leading Britain to victory in many sea battles.
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Why Was the Statue Built?
This statue was special because it was the first one in Birmingham paid for by the public. It was also the first statue of Lord Nelson ever built in Britain! People in Birmingham raised £2,500 to pay for it. This happened after Nelson visited their town on August 31, 1802. He visited just a year before he went to fight against the ships of Napoleon, a famous French leader. The statue was officially shown to the public on October 25, 1809. This day was chosen because it was the "Golden Jubilee" of King George III, celebrating 50 years of his rule.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue shows Nelson wearing his naval uniform. One of his arms rests on an anchor, next to a small model of his famous ship, HMS Victory. On the ship, you can see a piece of the mast from the French ship Orient. This French ship was sunk during the Battle of the Nile, a big battle Nelson won.
When it was first put up, the statue stood on a round marble base. This base had carvings of the people of Birmingham. Iron railings surrounded it, with lanterns on top of old cannons at each corner.
Where Has the Statue Been?
The statue was first placed where an old building called the Old Cross used to be. It stood near the Birmingham Market Hall, which opened in 1835. Since 1952, this statue has been given a special "Grade II* listed status." This means it's a very important historical building or monument.
There's a similar statue in Bridgetown, Barbados, built in 1813. It was also made by Richard Westmacott and looks very much like the one in Birmingham.
In 1961, the statue was moved when the Bull Ring area was rebuilt. Sadly, the original carved base, cannons, and lanterns were lost then. But after a more recent redevelopment, the statue has been moved back close to its first spot, north of the church. It now stands on a high balcony between the Bullring shopping center and the Selfridges store. Nelson now looks out over the church of St Martin in the Bull Ring again. He stands on a simple base, surrounded by iron railings that look like rope. These railings are actually the original ones! They were put back in September 2005, just in time for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Celebrating Nelson's Legacy
The statue is a central part of Birmingham's yearly Trafalgar Day celebration. This day remembers the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson's most famous victory. In 2009, to mark 200 years since the statue was first shown, a special medal was made in Birmingham.
