Wellington Monument, London facts for kids
The Wellington Monument typically refers to the monument to Arthur Wellesley, the first duke of Wellington, and his victories in the Peninsular War and the latter stages of the Napoleonic Wars, sited at the south-western end of Park Lane in London. It was inaugurated on 18 June 1822. Its total height, including the sculpture, base and the mound on which it stands, is 36 ft.
It is best known for its colossal 18 ft high statue of Achilles by the sculptor Richard Westmacott, produced from melted-down captured enemy cannon. Based on the poses of the Borghese Gladiator and more particularly the Quirinal Horse Tamers, it shows the Greek mythological hero as a muscular young man, raising his shield with his left hand and his short sword in his right hand, with his armour standing by his right thigh and his cloak draped over his left shoulder. The monument was funded by donations from British women totalling £10,000. On being transported to its final site, the entrance gates into Hyde Park were too low for it to fit, so it proved necessary to knock a hole in the adjoining wall. The inscription on the statue's Dartmoor granite base reads:
- To Arthur Duke of Wellington
- and his brave companions in arms
- this statue of Achilles
- cast from cannon taken in the victories
- of Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse, and Waterloo
- is inscribed
- by their country women
- Placed on this spot
- on the XVIII day of June MDCCCXXII
- by command of
- His Majesty George IIII.
