Tower of the Winds (Oxford) facts for kids
The Tower of the Winds is a famous eight-sided tower in Oxford, England. It sits on top of the old Radcliffe Observatory building. This building is now a main part of Green Templeton College, which is one of the colleges at Oxford University.
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What is the Tower of the Winds?
This tower in Oxford was inspired by a much older and smaller tower in Athens, Greece. The original Greek tower was built around 100–50 BC. It was used to tell time.
The Oxford tower is made of stone and has eight sides. At the top of each side, there are carvings of ancient Greek wind gods. A sculptor named John Bacon the Elder created these carvings between 1792 and 1794. The whole tower was finished in 1794 by James Wyatt.
Who are the statues on top?
On the very top of the tower, you can see white statues of Atlas and Hercules. These statues, also made by John Bacon, are holding up a globe. Atlas and Hercules are famous figures from Greek myths.
What are the Zodiac signs?
Above the windows on the first floor, there are carvings of the signs of the zodiac. These carvings are made from a special material called Coade stone. They were created by J. C. F. Rossi. Inside the tower, there are three main rooms, one on top of the other.
Where is the Tower of the Winds located?
The Tower of the Winds is easy to see just north of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ). This area has many Oxford University departments, including the Blavatnik School of Government. South of the tower is Observatory Street, which got its name because the building used to be an observatory.
To the south, you can find the Mathematical Institute building and Somerville College. These newer buildings from the 21st century stand next to the older 17th-century style of the observatory.
To the west, there is the Jericho Health Centre. Further west is Walton Street, where you can see the tower from a distance if you look north. To the east, you will find the Woodstock Road and the main entrance of Green Templeton College. St Anne's College is located across the road.
