Phone +61 2 9873 8500 | ||
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Location 2 km (1 mi) east of Sydney CBD Address MacLeay St, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011, Australia Similar Regimental Square, Cronulla sand dunes, Bennelong Apartments, Archibald Fountain, Georges River National | ||
El alamein fountain kings cross
The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is a fountain and war memorial in the city of Sydney, Australia. It is located in the Kings Cross area, at the entrance to the Fitzroy Gardens on the corner of Darlingurst Road and Macleay Street. The El Alamein Fountain was commissioned as a memorial to soldiers who died in 1942 during World War II in two battles at El Alamein, Egypt, and was designed by the Australian architect Phill Taranto as employed by architectural firm Woodward and Woodward.
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Kings cross el alamein fountain sunday 21st january 2013
War memorial
The Australian 9th Division fought in both the first (July 1942) and second (November 1942) battles of El Alamein during World War II. Both were important for the course of the war. They halted the advance of Axis forces into Egypt and routed them, and are considered a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign. The El Alamein Fountain in Sydney commemorates the Australian army's roles in the North Africa campaign in general, and the two El Alamein battles in particular.
The designer
New Zealand born Robert (Bob) Woodward together with Phill Taranto was commissioned to build the fountain in 1959. Woodward, himself an Army veteran, was 36 at the time and had studied architecture at Sydney University, and worked in Finland. The structure was completed in 1961 and officially opened by Harry Jensen, Lord Mayor of Sydney. The fountain made such a name for Woodward and the firm that he went on to design many others, and his fountains are his best-known works.
The design
Woodward's Modernist design has been variously described as looking like a blown thistle, or dandelion. The sculpture is made of bronze with brass pipes. The small-nozzled spray heads make the sphere-shaped spray very fine, and sensitive to air movement. The fountain sits on a hexagonal base, where the water cascades down three levels. It is illuminated at night.
Cultural impact
The fountain won Woodward the New South Wales Institute of Architects Civic Design Award in 1964. Over the years, its iconic shape has made it a well-known landmark that has been imitated by other builders.
As the focal point of the Kings Cross area, the fountain often serves as a meeting place.
Similar fountains
A similar fountain can be found in Szczytna, in south-western Poland.