Cleopatra’s Needle

Another monument and landmark in London.
I saw it when I was on the river cruise so could take a picture of the whole thing. Didn’t make a trip to see it up close. It is close to London Bridge.

I love this monument, I know its silly but the fact its mentioned in From Hell, one of my favourite movies, makes it seem even more thrilling that when I just knew how old it was.

The Needle is rather impressive and along it is a real Egyptian Obelisk it has nothing to do with Cleopatra as the name indicates, Cleopatra’s Needle is flanked by two faux-​Egyptian Sphinx cast from bronze that bear hieroglyphic inscriptions that say netjer nefer men-​kheper-​re di ankh (the good god, Thuthmosis III given life) accordinging to wiki.
These Sphinxes are staring idly at the Needle rather than guarding it like they would have in Egypt-​as they were stupidly installed backwards.- there’s quite a bit of WW1 damage around the Needle and on the sphinxs which is quite interesting once you realise what it’s from-​something I wouldn’t Have known had my friend and guide not been so zealous to point the damage out… I thought that maybe it was just because it was old.
Nice to stop and look at on your walk down the Thames.

Monument
Les amoureux des arts égyptiens seront ravis lorsqu’ils verront cet obélisque orné de nombreuses inscriptions. L’Egypte est venu jusqu’à Londres par l’intermédiaire de ce monument !

Needle, strange name…
This is one of the monuments on the nicest walk in London. The Embankment is lovely and the view is amazing. Look at the lions around Cleopatras needle and you will see chunks missing. Apparently it’ the result of from shrapnel from the Blitz!