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Cleopatra's Needle - London Hotels .com

Cleopatra's Needle on the Thames Embankment

Cleopatra's Needle is located on the Thames Embankment in London, close to the Embankment underground station. The tall stone, also called the Obelisk, is said to be made for Tuthmose III (a conqueror and ruler) in 1460 B.C. The carvings on the stone are actually praises for him. Ramesses II later added inscriptions on the needle to glorify his victories.

Visitors will find four plaques mounted around the base of the Obelisk which portray the needle's history and honor the men who died in the process of removal and transportation of the stone. On either side of the needle sit two large bronze Sphinxes adorning the view. These are a purely Victorian version of the traditional Egyptian original but are still very impressive. Buxom winged sphinxes stit on the benches at the embankment, which were built in an Egyptian style to match Cleopatra's Needle.

Despite it's name, the needle has nothing to do with the famous Egytian queen. It is called Cleopatra's Needle because it was brought to London from Alexandria, the royal city of Cleopatra.

Cleopatra's Needle is actually part of a trio of obelisks found in London, Paris and New York. All are made of red granite, are 68 feet high and weigh about 180 tons. Cleopatra's Needle was gifted to Britain by Egypt in 1813 and was shipped in 1878 to commemorate the British victory over Napoleon.

Other attractions near Cleopatra's Needle are the London Eye, the Florence Nightingale Museum, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

If you feel like staying in the neighborhood, the Royal Horseguards Thistle Hotel is comfortably located within 500 meters.

Tube Station: Embankment, Charing Cross