Statue

Westminster Abbey A - Maximilian Kolbe

Erection date: /7/1998

Site: Westminster Abbey - 20th century martyrs (11 memorials)

SW1, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey - west porch

Fourteen niches on the West Front remained empty since the Abbey was built until 1998 when they were filled. The lower four are filled with allegorical figures representing mercy, truth, justice and peace, the traditional virtues for which the martyrs occupying the ten upper niches might be said to have died. Their new occupants are carved from French Richemont limestone and each weighs almost a ton. It was decided that martyrs of the 20th century would be the subjects and sadly the election panel were spoilt for choice. The final selection is intended to be representative of the different areas of oppression around the world. Tim Crawley led the team of sculptors.
We have listed the statues in the sequence, left to right, of the niches they occupy.

The plaque is on the ground to the left, inside the railings.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Westminster Abbey A - Maximilian Kolbe

Subjects commemorated i

Maximilian Kolbe

Saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Franciscan killed by the Nazis in 1941.

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Westminster Abbey A - Maximilian Kolbe

Created by i

Queen Elizabeth II

Born 17 Bruton Street, to the Duke and Duchess of York. For information on wh...

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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Born at the villa 'Mon Repos', the summer retreat of the Greek royal family, ...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Westminster Abbey A - Maximilian Kolbe

Also at this site i

Nearby Memorials

Westminster Abbey I - Lucian Tapiede

Westminster Abbey I - Lucian Tapiede

SW1, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey - west porch

Fourteen niches on the West Front remained empty since the Abbey was built until 1998 when they were filled. The lower four are filled wi...

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators
Frieze of Parnassus - Beethoven

Frieze of Parnassus - Beethoven

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The monument, officially titled the Prince Consort National Memorial, celebrates Victorian achievement and Prince Albert's passions and i...

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Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society - Alexander McLeod statue

Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society - Alexander McLeod statue

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City of London School 1 - Bacon

City of London School 1 - Bacon

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We've listed the statues left to right across the front of the building, with More all on his lonesome on the west (left) facade.  The 1...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Edward VI statue at St Thomas's - Cartwright

Edward VI statue at St Thomas's - Cartwright

SE1, St Thomas's Hospital, St Thomas's Hospital

This 1682 statue by Cartwright was commissioned by Clayton and was originally at the centre of a group of figures which formed a frontisp...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators