They stand guard, these noble, stone hounds, at the entrance to Victoria Park. The Dogs of Alcibiades, they are called, these proud beasts, sentinels of this green haven. They are not the original pair, though, those were taken away in 2009 to be restored, the ravages of time taking its toll. These are replicas, made in 2010, placed here to keep the tradition alive. The original pair, donated by Lady Aignarth in 1912, as a memorial to her late husband, resided here for nearly a century. They weren’t always in Victoria Park, though. These marble statues are copies of a Roman sculpture, originally crafted from bronze in the 2nd Century BC. The original, now in the British Museum, was owned by Henry Constantine Jennings, who, struck by the dog’s docked tail, named it after the Athenian statesman of a bygone era: Alcibiades. He, too, owned a dog, a Molossian hound, and it was this connection that led these hounds to become known as the Dogs of Alcibiades. So whether you’re a history buff, an animal lover, or just someone looking for a bit of beauty in the city, these dogs are worth a visit.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to