Admiralty Arch, Historic site in City of Westminster, United Kingdom
Admiralty Arch is a monumental gateway in Westminster spanning the entrance from Trafalgar Square to The Mall with three arched passages and two lateral wings. The facade consists of Portland stone and shows classical columns along with decorative elements in the Edwardian Baroque style.
King Edward VII commissioned the structure and had it completed in 1912 to honor his mother Queen Victoria. The arch originally served as a ceremonial passage to the royal residences along The Mall.
The Latin inscription on the facade refers to the original dedication to Queen Victoria. Visitors often notice the two sculptures on the outer walls representing Navigation and Gunnery.
The building stands at the southwestern end of Trafalgar Square where The Mall begins. It is currently being converted into a hotel and remains visible as a landmark even during construction works.
A small metal nose protrudes from the inner wall of the northern arch. Artist Rick Buckley installed it in 1997 as a comment on public surveillance.
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