Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, Bronze sculpture at Royal Exchange, London, England
The Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington stands at Royal Exchange in London's City and depicts him in dress uniform with a cloak, mounted on a horse without stirrups. The sculpture occupies a prominent position at the Bank junction, towering above the surrounding streets and buildings.
The monument was created in 1844 by sculptors Francis Chantrey and Henry Weekes using bronze cast from captured French cannons following the Battle of Waterloo. This choice of material directly linked the monument to Wellington's greatest military achievement and Britain's triumph over Napoleon.
The statue commemorates Wellington's role in London's urban development through the London Bridge Approaches Act of 1827, which enabled King William Street to be built. It stands at a busy junction where thousands of people pass by each day, making it part of the cityscape many Londoners see regularly.
The statue sits at one of London's busiest intersections where traffic and pedestrians constantly converge, making it challenging to view or photograph from certain angles. The quieter times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when traffic is lighter.
The statue's base has served as a ventilation shaft for Bank and Monument Underground stations since 1994, making it one of the few historical monuments that actively functions as modern infrastructure. This dual purpose as both artwork and working ventilation system is rarely noticed by passersby.
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