Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne's most recognisable landmark, is open from 10am to 5pm daily, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

The Shrine can be reached from the City and Flinders Street Railway Station via St Kilda Road. On leaving Flinders St Railway Station through the Swanston St exit, the shrine is to the south. It is a very pleasant 1.3km walk, taking about 30 minutes.

The Shrine can also be reached by tram or bus. The trams can be taken from outside Flinders St Station and from other locations (Tram Numbers 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72. Bus Numbers, 216, 219, 220.)

The Shrine of Remembrance was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of those 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918. 89,100 of them served overseas and 19,000 did not return.

The people of Victoria felt that their debt to these volunteers, who had defended them at such great costs to themselves and their families, should be recognised by a worthy permanent monument of remembrance.

Although the country was faced with frightful unemployment and financial difficulty in the late 1920s and the 1930s, so great was the gratitude of the people that the huge amount required to build the Shrine was raised or promised within six months from the opening of the appeal in 1928.

Did you know?

The most extraordinary feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light which shines on the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance at 11am on the 11th of November.

Created by the sculptor, Paul Montford, the statuary of the Shrine of Remembrance is made of four groups that mark each corner of the Shrine. Representing Peace, Justice, Patriotism and Sacrifice, the statues feature Greek and Assyrian influences and were initially criticised for having no Christian motifs or elements.

Originally intended as a memorial arch that would span across St Kilda Rd, it was also proposed at one point that the Shrine instead be a cenotaph in a large "ANZAC Square" at the top of Bourke Street. As this would have also included demolishing one of Melbourne’s oldest buildings, the Windsor Hotel, the 1927 ANZAC Day march was also held as a demonstration, led by General Sir John Monash, former commander of the Australian forces.

The foundation stone of the Shrine was laid in November of 1927 on Remembrance Day, but construction wasn't completed until September of 1934 with progress having being slowed during the depression.

Web Link: Shrine of Remembrance

Shrine of Remembrance

St Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria Australia. View Map

Telephone: (03) 9654 8415

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Friday 03 Sep 2010

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