City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Cleopatra's Needle

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

1. Cleopatra's Needle Marker

( northeast side )

Inscription.
( northeast side ) This obelisk quarried at Syene was erected at On (Heliopolis) by the Pharaoh Thothmes III about 1500 B.C.
Lateral inscriptions were added nearly two centuries later by Ramses the Great
Removed during the Greek Dynasty to Alexandria the Royal City of Cleopatra
It was there erected in the 18th year of Augustus Caesar B.C. 12
( narrow plaque, northeast side )
The inscriptions of Thothmes are in the centre of each face. The one above records the erection of the oblisk at On at the time of his third celebration of the Sed-festival. The left-hand face and and the back contain prayers that he may celebrate many such festivals and that Tum [the setting Sun] may establish his name with increased sovereignty in the Great Temple of On. The right-hand face records his offerings on the altar of the Spirits of On. The inscriptions down the sides were added by Ramses II to record his own victories.

( northwest side, facing the street ) Through the patriotic zeal of Erasmus Wilson F.R.S. this obelisk was brought from Alexandria encased in an iron cylinder
It was abandoned during a storm in the Bay of Biscay
Recovered and erected on this spot by John Dixon C.E. in the 40th year of the reign of Queen Victoria
1878

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( southwest side )
This obelisk prostrate for centuries on the sands of Alexandria was presented to the British Nation A.D. 1819 by Mahommed Ali Viceroy of Egypt
A worthy memorial of our distinguished countrymen Nelson and Abercromby
( southeast side, facing the River Thames ) William Askin · James Gardiner · Joseph Benbow · Michael Burns · William Donald · William Patan
Perished in a bold attempt to succour the crew of the obelisk ship “Cleopatra” during the storm October 14th 1877

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks.

Location. 51° 30.511′ N, 0° 7.221′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. Marker is on Victoria Embankment close to Savoy Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: City of Westminster, England WC2N 6PB, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monument of Belgium's Gratitude (within shouting distance of this marker); Lord Cheylesmore Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Britain In Bloom (within shouting distance of this marker); Westminster, London Memorial Garden

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

2. Cleopatra's Needle Marker

( northeast side )

(within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Wilfrid Lawson (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Storm Oak Tree (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Imperial Camel Corps (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . . Cleopatra's Needle on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 30, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

3. Cleopatra's Needle Marker

( northwest side )

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

4. Cleopatra's Needle Marker

( southwest side )

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

5. Cleopatra's Needle Marker

( southeast side )

Bronze Sphinx flanking the Obelisk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

6. Bronze Sphinx flanking the Obelisk

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 30, 2018

7. Bronze Sphinx flanking the Obelisk

( plaque below the right hand sphinx ) The scars that disfigure the pedestal of the obelisk, the bases of the sphinxes, and the right hand sphinx, were caused by fragments of a bomb dropped in the roadway close to this spot, in the first raid on London by German aeroplanes a few minutes before midnight on Tuesday 4th September 1917

Cleopatra's Needle from a cruise boat on the River Thames image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 29, 2018

8. Cleopatra's Needle from a cruise boat on the River Thames

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 30, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.