King Richard Ⅲ

A statue of King Richard III has been reinstated in Leicester as part of a £2.5m regeneration project.

The bronze figure, which has a new, full-length sword, has been restored, cleaned and polished before being installed at Cathedral Gardens.

It will stand near to where the king's remains were found under a car park in September 2012 and his intended final resting place at Leicester Cathedral.

The statue was lifted off its plinth and moved from Castle Gardens in May.

'Fitting memorial'

It was donated to the city by the Richard III Society in 1980.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "The arrival of the statue in Cathedral Gardens is a very poignant moment.

"In the few weeks since the statue was taken away for restoration, we have learned that Leicester will rightly be the final resting place for the remains of Richard III.

"We could not wish for a more fitting memorial to this extraordinary chapter in the city's history."

The statue now stands on a low slab of polished granite matching materials used in the gardens redevelopment.

A very fine bronze statue of King Richard 111 on a plinth showing him as he probably was at The Battle of Bosworth, Leicestershire on 22nd August 1485 - on foot and bareheaded in his battle armour holding a greatsword in his extended right hand whilst holding his crown aloft in his left hand (presumably intended to be the moment which, according to William Shakespeare, that he said "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!").
There is a bronze plaque on the plinth to tell visitors about him. The plinth and statue are not enclosed by a fence so it is possible to put the white roses of the House of York onto the plinth at his feet.
The statue is open 24 hours a day. It is illuminated at night so provides a particularly good photo opportunity especially if the camera is angled to include the illuminated Leicester Cathedral which is a very short distance immediately behind the statue.
The statue, which was donated to the City of Leicester by the Richard 111 Society in1980, used to be in Leicester Castle gardens until it was moved in 2015 to its present location adjacent to the King Richard 111 Visitor Centre prior to King Richard 111's reinterment in Leicester Cathedral on 26th March 2015. Having seen this statue you simply must not fail to visit his tomb in Leicester Cathedral nearby!
St. Martin's is a pedestrianised street and is disabled accessible. Pay & display on-street parking is available in the adjoining streets up to 6pm thereafter it is free.

Leicester is an interesting city. The statue is just opposite the King Richard III visitor centre at the city centre and the area is nicely kept.

Wonderful statue outside the visitor centre and close to the cathedral.

Great Statue of a King. His expression and movements are designed just right, reflecting his character.

It was amazing to visit the king Richard 3rd display so much to very educational. Great shop there and cafe. A must visit is the Cathedral were he is buried in the City of Leicester.. When you purchase your ticket it is valid for 1 year.. So you can visit as many times as you wish.

Unveiled on 31 July 1980 by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. The statue was commissioned and contributed by members of the Richard III Society. Sculptor.

The remains of Richard III, the last English king killed in battle, were discovered within the site of the former Grey Friars Priory in Leicester, England, in September 2012. Following extensive anthropological and genetic testing, the remains were ultimately reinterred at Leicester Cathedral on 26 March 2015.