Washington Square Arch, New York City — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Washington Square Arch is a white marble triumphal arch standing at the northern end of Washington Square Park, marking the southern terminus of Fifth Avenue. It's one of the most recognized landmarks in Greenwich Village. The arch started as a temporary structure. In 1889, a plaster and wood arch was erected to celebrate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration. It proved so popular that a campaign was launched to build a permanent version. Architect Stanford White designed the marble replacement, and the cornerstone was laid on May 30, 1890, "Decoration Day" (now Memorial Day). The arch was formally dedicated on May 4, 1895. Built from Tuckahoe marble, the arch stands 77 feet tall with an opening 47 feet high. The design was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome. Two statues of George Washington flank the north face: one shows him as a military commander, the other as the first president. In January 1917, a group of artists and writers, including Marcel Duchamp, climbed a staircase inside the arch (which is now sealed), reached the top, and declared Greenwich Village an independent republic, the "Free and Independent Republic of Washington Square." The stunt captured the neighbourhood's rebellious spirit perfectly. The arch is free to view and accessible 24 hours a day in Washington Square Park. If you're on a Questo quest through the Village, it's a stop where American history and artistic rebellion share the same address.