Washington Arch: New York’s Triumphal Arch
New York has its own triumphal arch! Head to Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood to discover this iconic 23-meter marble monument.
The History of Washington Arch
- Did New York take inspiration from Paris? Walk into Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, and you’ll immediately notice a marble triumphal arch standing in the center of the park.
- Washington Arch was built in 1892, more than 50 years after Paris’s Arc de Triomphe was completed in 1836. The resemblance is unmistakable.
- Architect Stanford White did indeed model it after Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. New York’s version is smaller, though—23 m (75 ft) tall compared to nearly 50 m (164 ft) for the Parisian original.
An Arch Honoring George Washington
- While Paris’s Arc de Triomphe celebrates Napoleonic victories, New York’s arch honors George Washington, the first president of the United States.
- You’ll see several statues of the famous statesman, depicting both his military and civilian roles. On the south side of the arch, you can read an inscription. Take time to sit on a bench too—Washington Square Park is always lively!
