Wellington Monument, Monument in Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland
The Wellington Monument is a 62-metre obelisk of light grey stone in Phoenix Park, the largest obelisk in Europe. Its tapering shaft rises from a square pedestal with a flat cap, set on a broad platform of shallow steps that fan out across a grassy field. Two dark rectangular panels with carved reliefs are mounted on the pedestal's front face.
The foundation stone was laid in 1817 to a design by Robert Smirke, but funds ran short and the obelisk stood unfinished for decades. A planned equestrian statue was never made; only four bronze plaques cast from cannons taken at Waterloo were installed. The monument opened to the public on 18 June 1861.
The name honors Arthur Wellesley, who was born in Dublin and later became widely known across Europe as a military commander. Today the structure stands openly on a grassy area and walkers regularly circle it on their routes through the park.
The obelisk stands at the southeast end of Phoenix Park, overlooking Kilmainham and the River Liffey. The monument rests on a wide platform of shallow steps that fan out toward the viewer. The base is open to walkers on the park's paths.
It is the tallest obelisk in Europe and stands taller than similar structures in other capital cities on the continent. Originally a site at Merrion Square was planned, but residents refused and this led to the move to the current location.
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