Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Welsh National War Memorial
Castle, Cardiff, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Commemorative
- Date of designation
- 25 January 1966
- Community
- Castle
- Unitary authority
- Cardiff
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.48657, -3.18041
- Cadw reference
- 13742
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
In centre of Alexandra Gardens.
History
1924-28 by Sir J Ninian Comper. The architect, better known for his work in the Gothic style, said he had been inspired by Roman architecture in the cities of Tunisia. The bronze sculpture is by Bertram Pegram (who also contributed to attic sculpture at National Museum).
Exterior
A circular colonnade of unfluted Corinthian columns with 3 projecting rectangular porticos; inscription to frieze in English (exterior), and Welsh (interior). At porticos (gated with brass gates) 3 short flights of steps lead down to a circular space within which is set a circular fountain basin, in the centre of which, in turn is a three-sided podium. The lower part of the podium is rectangular and the upper part circular with projecting columns echoing the shape of the outer colonnade; base of colonnade lined internally with stone seats. The 3 bays of the upper part of the podium have 3 bronze statutes of servicemen (representing the 3 services) bearing wreaths; the top of the column is surmounted by a bronze statue of a nude male figure representing victory; bronze dolphins below.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as major national monument by a leading architect of the period, on key site in civic centre.
Nearby in the register
- Statue of Lord AberdareCommemorativeunder 1 mi
- Public ConveniencesHealth and Welfareunder 1 mi
- Former Glamorgan County HallCivilunder 1 mi
- University of Wales, Cardiff, including Forecourt WallsEducationunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.