Video: What is Wallace's Scottish monument famous for and why Mel Gibson's costume is kept there
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
This year marks the 150th anniversary of one of Scotland's most recognizable landmarks, Wallace Tower. Thanks to the Hollywood film "Braveheart", the name of this national hero is known all over the world today not only to connoisseurs of the history of England. In total, more than 20 monuments and memorials dedicated to William Wallace and the struggle for independence have been installed in Scotland. The monument, built on the site of the Battle of Stirling, is perhaps the main object of the historical memory of the Scots.
The Wallace Memorial, built in 1869, which from the point of view of a historical perspective is not so long ago, refers us to the events of the late 13th century. The current political climate of the United Kingdom, by the way, still retains echoes of that long-standing struggle for Scottish independence. Therefore, for many locals, William Wallace is an eternally living symbol of their ideals.
The famous hero of Scotland lived only 35 years, but managed to leave a serious historical memory about himself - he was one of the military leaders in the War of Independence from England and proclaimed the Guardian of Scotland (regent). In 1927, Wallace managed "not by number, but by skill" to win the important Battle of Sterling, after which almost all of Scotland was liberated from the British. True, all this ended badly for the hero - after the treacherous capture, he was put to death in London. As you know, executions in those days performed important functions of intimidation and at the same time a popular entertainment, so after the demonstrative destruction of such an important enemy for the English throne, parts of his body were put on public display for a long time in the largest cities of Scotland. However, the nationwide memory became a reward for the hero. A huge number of his monuments and memorials are living proof of this.
At the end of the 19th century, five centuries after the death of the national hero, the Scots decided to build a real castle for him. The site for the memorial was chosen historical - the very village of Sterling, not far from the bridge that collapsed under the British army, on top of the hill, where Wallace took up a position at the beginning of the battle.
The incredibly beautiful Gothic-style tower won the competition, beating 105 competitive designs. Money for the memorial was collected throughout Scotland. This miracle was built for almost ten years, the museum was opened in 1869. Gradually, they began to collect here the memory of all the Scots who left their mark on the history of the country. So, in the Hall of Heroes today busts are shown and the story of 30 men and women is told. The first was installed here in 1886, the last in 2019.
Today, the museum, although it was built 150 years ago, offers visitors a number of the most modern presentations - virtual journeys into the past, historical reconstructions and extensive information about the struggle for independence in Scotland. Although, of course, the most spectacular show remains the ascent to the upper platform. The observation tower of the memorial is called the Crown, and a tour of it is not recommended for people suffering from a fear of heights.
As for the Oscar-winning film with Mel Gibson in the title role, the museum curators do not like it very much due to the huge amount of historical inaccuracies. The fact that their national hero was a native of the people, wore a kilt and painted his face blue before the fight - this is all the speculation of Hollywood directors. But, nevertheless, the guides cannot deny one fact - after the release of the world-famous historical drama in 1995, the number of visitors to the Wallace Memorial increased threefold, and the recognition of this image among young people increased many times over. So the tape fulfilled its popularizing function, even despite the somewhat free interpretation of the story. Perhaps this is why Mel Gibson's real costume, in which he played the role of William Wallace, is now part of the museum's exhibit.
Another rarity and real pride of the museum is the historical sword of William Wallace. Read on about the fate of a weapon important for history in the collection: The most famous swords that have become real artifacts
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