Shrine of Remembrance |
The Shrine of Remembrance was built between 1928 and 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 every year to mark the hour and day of the Armistice which ended World War I.
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.
After World War II a Memorial Forecourt, shaped like a cross of sacrifice, was added and this included 3 flagpoles, the Eternal Flame and the Cenotaph.
Getting There
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.
Take any southbound tram from Federation Square (except route number 1) to stop 19
Bus route 605 from Gardenvale to Flagstaff stations via the CBD. Alight at Birdwood Avenue stop
Car parking on St Kilda Road and Birdwood Avenue (ticketing applies).
Coach and disabled parking bays are also available on Birdwood Avenue.
❊ What's On ❊
➼ Shrine of Remembrance: Open Hours
➼ Remembrance Services @ The Shrine
➼ Permanent Exhibitions | Shrine of Remembrance
➼ The Shrine's Last Post Service
➼ Shrine Of Remembrance: Guided Tour
➼ Trenches To Runway - Military Influences On Popular Fashion
➼ Shrine Kids
➼ Designing Remembrance - Alternate Visions For Victoria's War Memorial - Tuesday 13 August 2024
➼ Australia Day 2025: 21-Gun Salute at the Shrine of Remembrance - Sunday 26 January 2025
➼ ANZAC Day 2025 - Friday 25 April 2025
➼ Long Tan Day 2025 | Vietnam Veterans' Day - Monday 18 August 2025
➼ Remembrance Day 2025 - Tuesday 11 November 2025
❊ Address ❊
℅ Naarm
⊜ Corner St Kilda Road and Domain Road Melbourne 3001 View Map
✆ Telephone: 03 9661 8100
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Shrine of Remembrance
➼ www.shrine.org.au
➼ Shrine of Remembrance - Wikipedia
➼ Shrine of Remembrance, [Walking Melbourne]
➼ www.diggerhistory.info
❊ Also See... ❊
➼ Domain Parklands
➼ Legacy
➼ Making the Shrine: Stories from Victoria's War Memorial
➼ Save Our Shrine
➼ Tan Track
Disclaimer: Check with the venue (web links) before making plans, travelling or buying tickets.
Accessibility: Contact the venue for accessibility information.
Update Page
