London - Marble Arch

On an island site in the middle of London's rushing traffic stands Marble Arch, an imposing triumphal arch designed by John Nash on the model of the Arch of Constantine in Rome. Originally intended to serve as the main gateway to Buckingham Palace, it was found to be too narrow to admit the state coach and was moved in 1851 to its present site at the northeast corner of Hyde Park. It stands close to Tyburn, which from the 12th century to 1793 was London's place of execution; criminals were brought here from the Tower or from Newgate prison to end on the gallows ("Tyburn tree"). The site of Tyburn is marked by a small stone slab let into the roadway.