Nelson's Column

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Facts

• The stone column is topped by a 5.5m (18ft) tall statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The column was built in honour of Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, in which he was killed.
• The four bronze lions which guard the base of the column are by Edwin Landseer.
• The four friezes around the column's plinth depict Nelson's greatest victories at the battles of Copenhagen, the Nile, St. Vincent and his death at Trafalgar and are cast in bronze from captured French cannon.
• The statue of Nelson is by E.H. Bailey, R.A.
• The column is of the Corinthian order and the acanthus leaves on the capital are cast in bronze.
• The statue of Nelson looks towards Plymouth from where he left England for the last time.
• The column is made from granite whilst the statue is fashioned from Cragleith stone.
• The cost of construction was around £47,000 at mid-19th century prices.
• The exact height is 51.659 metres (169 feet 5 3/4 inches) measured by laser from the pavement to the top of Nelson's hat.
• Nelson's Column is both one of Britain's most famous structures and visited tourist attractions.
• Nelson's Column is Grade I Listed.