Punto de interés

Horatio Nelson Statue

Name: Horatio Nelson Statue
Address: 14 Grand Parade, Old Portsmouth, England, GB

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Creydi

December 11, 2021

The statue stands on a plinth approximately 1570mms square in Grand Parade, adjacent to the slope leading up to the Saluting Platform. The siting of the statue of Lord Nelson has been the subject of some controversy for many years. He was originally placed in Pembroke Gardens (see photo 3) so that he looked towards that part of Southsea Beach where it is believed that he embarked for his flagship HMS Victory in September 1805. Unfortunately he was placed some 200yds from the beach and over the years his "view" of it became increasingly obstructed by the construction of a funfair. Eventually he just seemed isolated and it was proposed to move the statue to a more appropriate position. Many locations were suggested but the City Council settled for a site in Grand Parade, a few yards from the sloping path leading up to the Saluting Platform. This decision has satisfied few people as Nelson is now in such a position that he could only "see" the sea if he stood on tiptoes, thereby defeating the very object of moving the statue. Whilst discussing the new location for the statue, it is said that regard was had for the route that Nelson took from the George Hotel, where he had breakfasted that September morning in 1805, to the beach from where he was ferried to the Victory. The route itself had been the subject of much debate over the years but it is now broadly agreed that it began when he left from the rear of the George Hotel onto Penny Street and turned right. He then turned left and walked along what is now Pembroke Road until he reached the fortifications; at that point he turned right and followed the line of the earthworks to a tunnel under the Long Curtain. The tunnel led out onto a drawbridge across the moat, the far end of which was Spur Redoubt. A narrow passage on the Redoubt led onto the beach where his barge and several hundred well-wishers were waiting. The new location for the statue is several hundred yards from any point on Nelson's last walk. It should also be noted that when in its original position, a lectern supporting a plaque had been sited a hundred feet in front of the statue. This has also been moved to Grand Parade, though sited somewhat closer to the statue. The text on the plaque has been altered such that the sentence "HE PASSED OVER THE SPOT WHERE THE STATUE STANDS 14TH SEPT 1805 IT FACES THE PLACE ON THE BEACH WHERE HE EMBARKED FOR H.M.S. VICTORY." has been omitted and a further paragraph added. It reads "THE STATUE WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED AT PEMBROKE GARDENS IN SOUTHSEA. IT WAS MOVED TO THIS MORE PROMINENT AND HISTORIC LOCATION IN OCTOBER 2005 TO MARK THE BICENTENARY OF THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR."

Ubicación

14 Grand Parade

Old Portsmouth, England

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