The Angel of the North celebrated 25 years of standing proud over Tyneside on Wednesday (February 15).
The iconic landmark is said to be Britain’s most-viewed piece of public art, with millions marvelling at her every year as they pass her road-side post.
Designed by Sir Antony Gormley, the Angel arrived on her hilltop on February 14 1998, and was erected the following day.
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Initially splitting opinion and described a monstrous blot on the region’s landscape, the Angel soon won over our hearts to become one of the North East’s most recognisable landmarks.
Speaking of the 25th anniversary of her erection Cllr Angela Douglas from Gateshead Council, said: “We’re always very proud to celebrate our Angel of the North which represents many things to us, including our heritage and our strong commitment to improving the borough, in this case through cultural regeneration.
“It’s become the backdrop to key moments in people’s lives. It’s a symbol, not only of Gateshead, but of the North East and for many the Angel means home.”
During the night of February 14, 1998, the Angel of the North made its long-awaited journey from Hartlepool where it was built to its new home by police escort.
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At dawn on 15 February, the body of the Angel was carefully lifted into position by a 500 tonne crane and lowered it onto 52 three-metre bolts securing it to the ground and designed so she can withstand 100mph winds.
The 54-metre wingspan makes her almost as big as a jumbo jet and she stands 20 metres high, around the height of four double decker buses. It is believed to be the largest angel structure in the world.
To celebrate the silver anniversary school kids paid a trip to the iconic monument on Wednesday, and schools were given knitted angels to take back to classrooms.
Children took part in creative writing sessions and posed under the angle holding their arms out to replicate her stance.
A competition inviting people to submit their most unusual photos of the iconic statue from different locations and perspectives has also been launched, with wannabe entrants asked to share their photos online using the hashtag #angleviews25.
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