Victoria Memorial

The memorial was erected here before World War I. George V, Queen Victoria's eldest grandson, thus paid tribute to his great-grandmother, under whose reign (Victoria ruled from 1837 to 1901) the Industrial Revolution took place in England, and the British Empire flourished. It was during Victoria's reign that the tradition, whereby the queen does not directly interfere in the political life of the country – her involvement in politics is only possible to the extent that it corresponds to the "spirit of the English nation" – was strengthened. The people harbored the warmest feelings for the queen also because she dearly loved her husband Prince Albert and was a model of a devoted wife.

The overall design of the memorial was created by architect Sir Aston Webb, who won the competition for the best project. The sculptures for the memorial were carved by Thomas Brock – they are considered the pinnacle of his work. Legend has it that at the unveiling of the monument, King George V, moved by the magnificence of the memorial, immediately bestowed a knighthood on Brock.

The centerpiece of the memorial is a huge (about 6 meters tall) statue of Queen Victoria made of Portland stone. The queen faces towards Trafalgar Square, holding a sceptre and an orb. Allegorical figures surround the pedestal behind the queen on three sides – the Angel of Truth, the Angel of Justice, and Motherhood. At the very top of the white marble pedestal, which weighs 2300 tons, there is a sculpture of Winged Victory, accompanied by Courage and Constancy.

The entire monument is imbued with a maritime spirit: after all, Britain is a maritime power. For example, Constancy holds a ship's compass in her hand. On the bronze relief panels, one can find tritons, mermaids, and nereids, while marble dolphins guard the base of the monument.

At the same time, the memorial embodies the idea of a great industrial and colonial empire. Bronze groups representing Industry, Agriculture, Peace, and Progress in the form of men and women protected by powerful lions (these sculptures were a gift from New Zealand) are placed on all four sides of it. The complex composition of the memorial also includes Maritime and Military Power, Arts and Sciences, Progress, and symbolic gates of Australia, Canada, and African countries – former colonies, now members of the British Commonwealth.