Exterior Waterloo Station Chimera -- Waterloo Station, London, Lambeth, UK
N 51° 30.227 W 000° 06.831
30U E 700299 N 5709799
The chimera on the OUTSIDE of the grand Victory Arch at the Waterloo Station in the Inner London borough of Lambeth
Waymark Code: WMRWYB
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/15/2016
Views: 3
Take a moment and enjoy the beautiful serene chimera on the grand Victory Arch on the York Road entrance to the busy Waterloo railway station.
This chimera is at the apex of the Victory Arch, in the center of cabochons engraved with the names of the most significant fields of battle in the Great War. The chimera gazes down somberly yet serenely, a respectful figure.
The Victory Arch is a Grade II listed structure in Great Britain.
From the English Heritage website: (
visit link)
"Listing Text
TQ 3179
Waterloo Station
(Victory Arch)
963/3/10099
II
The Victory or Memorial Arch was built 1919-22. It was designed as the main foot entrance to the station at the head of an impressive flight of steps, most of which is within the building. it is in the form of a triumphal arch some three storeys and attic in height, on the butterfly plan; the main arch being flanked by side bays and with one bay canted wings. It Was joined to the existing building on the left by a three bay section with recessed centre and giant order, this is not repeated to the right. Balustraded parapet with attic hidden behind. Stonework with heavy rustication in the centre. Sculpture - Bronze plaques under the arch bear the names of 585 LSWR employees who lost their lives in WWI, but the chief features are two sculptural groups, one dedicated to Bellona and dated 1914 and the other, dated 1918, to Peace, under the names of the greatest fields of battle set around a glazed arch set with a clock in a sunburst, and surmounted on the roof by Britannia. Prominent on the concourse side of the arch is the name of the company. The sculptor was the other wise little known Charles Whiffen. The special significance of the monument within the post-First World War genre is that the LSWR staff themselves were, uniquely, consulted on its design. Pylons with iron lamps flank the staircase.
The rest of the station is not of special architectural or historic interest."