The Marble Arch
History
The Marble Arch is an iconic monument located in London, England on the corner of Hyde Park. The Marble Arch was originally built as a ceremonial entrance to Buckingham Palace, the residence of the British monarch. The building was commissioned in 1827 by King George IV, who wanted a grand entrance to his palace. King George IV had John Nash build the arch which he took inspiration from ancient roman architecture. In 1851 the arch was dismantled and relocated to its present site as the arch's original location was causing problems. Today the Marble Arch stands as a prominent landmark in London attracting tourists and visitors from around the world. It serves as a reminder to the city's rich history and continues to be an integral part of London.
Speakers Corner
Marble Arch is located next to speakers corner situated in Hyde Park. It has a long-standing tradition of free speech and public debates. Many historical figures, activists, and intellectuals have delivered lectures at Speaker's Corner, utilizing the arch as a symbolic background.
Suffragette Rallies
In the early 20th century women activist rallied together under the banner "Votes for Women" fighting for the right to vote in public elections. The Marble Arch was often used as a meeting point for rallies and demonstrations.
Public Celebrations
The Marble Arch is often used as a site for public celebrations and gatherings during national events and holidays. Recently for the Trooping the Colour ceremony it was a landmark along the route.
Marble Arch in the Media
Films
The Marble Arch has been featured in many films, often used as a recognizable landmark to represent London. Movies it has been featured in include "The Ipcress File" (1965), "V for Vendetta" (2005), and "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011). The arch's beauty and rich history make it an appealing setting for filmmakers. Fun Fact there is also a production studio named after the Marble Arch called Marble Arch Productions.
Television
The Marble Arch has made many appearances on television shows. It has been featured in fictional shows as well as documentaries. In the series "Sherlock" the arch is shows in the opening representing the city of London. The Marble Arch also occasionally gets news coverage from media outlets. This could be because of events or demonstrations near the arch or to discuss its historical and cultural significance. It also makes for a good backdrop for news broadcasts.
Other Apperances
The Marble Arch has also been featured in works of literature. In Charles Dickens' "Bleak House," the character Lady Dedlock is described as living near the Marble Arch. It has also been featured in songs and album covers. "The Great Escape" by Blur shows the band members near the Marble Arch. The arch's distinctive appearance makes it a recognizable symbol in both literature and music.
Historical Events at the Arch
Final Points
The Marble Arch is a distinctive mark of London and is a recognizable landmark with a rich history. This arch has been featured many times in the history of London as well as in the media. However, this arch is more of a symbolic structure and does not play a central role in much of the history itself. With that being said, we felt our project would not be complete if we did not include the most well known arch of London. Continue on with us as we showcase more arch's with deep history tied directly to historical events in the world as well as in the media.