Equestrian statue of William III, 18th-century bronze monument in Cathedral Square, Glasgow, United Kingdom
This equestrian bronze shows William III dressed in Roman armor while riding a horse, dominating Cathedral Square since 1926. The sculpture sits at the intersection of Cathedral Square and High Street, close to both Glasgow Cathedral and the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life.
James Macrae financed this bronze sculpture in 1735, initially placing it in front of the Tontine Hotel in Trongate. The monument was later moved to Cathedral Square, where it has stood for nearly a century as part of Glasgow's memorial landscape.
The statue honors William III, a pivotal figure whose reign shaped the course of British government and European affairs. It remains a focal point in the square where locals and visitors pass by regularly.
The monument is easy to locate at the busy intersection of Cathedral Square and High Street where several pathways converge. The site is accessible on foot and offers clear views of surrounding buildings including the cathedral and other nearby historic structures.
The horse's tail has a specially engineered ball and socket joint that prevents damage during periods of civil unrest. This hidden detail shows how artists once built practical solutions into their works to protect them from destruction.
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