Admiralty Arch, London

The Admiralty Arch is an office building facing Trafalgar Square. It incorporates an archway for road and pedestrian access between The Mall and Trafalgar Square. It was built in 1912, and adjoins the Old Admiralty Building. The Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII, in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, though he died before it was completed.

On the top of the building are these Latin words:

ANNO DECIMO EDWARDI SEPTIMI REGIS
VICTORIÆ REGINÆ CIVES GRATISSIMI MDCCCCX

Translated, it says: In the 10th year of the reign of Edward VII, to Queen Victoria, from most grateful citizens, 1910

An oddity to the building, in addition to its shape, is that there is a small protrusion on the side wall of the northernmost arch, the size and shape of a human nose. There is no official information why it is there. The nose is seven feet high, which makes it waist height for someone riding through the arch on a horse. Tradition hold that it is Napoleon's nose. It was to be rubbed by anyone riding through the arch.

Getting there

Access: Open
Tube: Charing Cross, Westminster
Tourist Office: 1 Lower Regent St, Piccadilly Circus SW1Y 4XT

List of Historical buildings in London