Replica of Syria’s Palmyra arch on display in London

A replica of the destroyed Triumphal Arch, in Palmyra, Syria, has been erected in London’s Trafalgar Square in solidarity with the people of Syria.

Made from Egyptian marble using 3D printing from photographs of the original, the scale model stands at 15 metres high, two thirds of the size of the original.

The replica is to be unveiled by London Mayor Boris Johnson this afternoon; it will remain in Trafalgar Square for three days before being moved to Dubai and New York. It is expected to be taken to Palmyra next year where it is hoped a permanent home near the original arch can be found.

The 2,000-year-old Triumphal Arch was blown up by Daesh in October 2015. Experts at Harvard University and Oxford University collaborated to build the 11 tonne replica.