Trafalgar Square is a large square with beautiful fountains and stairways. The square is a memorial to the Battle of Trafalgar (where Horatio Nelson won over Napoleon in 1805). The best known is probably the Nelson statue that stands up high on top of a 50 m column in the middle of the square.
London's most famous square
The square is located in the city center. The square is mostly surrounded by streets, except the stairs to the north where you can walk up to the National Gallery and the beautiful church Martin-in-the-Fields. Are you looking down towards the south you can catch a glimpse of Big Ben far away down the street. In the southwest is your main street "the Mall", south of the square you see Whitehall, to the west you can see Canada House.
The statue of Nelson stands in the middle of the square and other monuments you will see in three of the corners. Unfortunately it has not yet come up a statue in the fourth corner. The three are George IV, Sir Henry Havelock and Sir Charles James Napier.
Trafalgar Square was built between 1827 - 1835 by architect John Nash. Before the square was built there was a hotel here called the Golden Cross Hotel. This hotel is named in Charles Dickens's novel "The Pickwick Papers".
Long before duting the 1600s there was a prison in the same place.
Lord Nelson's Column
The column stands in the square and it is very difficult to take a picture of the whole pillar. Around the column you will see four large bronze lions. They are sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer. The lions came into place between 1859 and 1867. You'll also find beautiful fountains.
Why not stay for a while and if weather permits, sit a while on the stairs at the National Gallery and look out over the square and soak up the atmosphere.
Place for demonstrations
Trafalgar Square is also known for its large demonstrations of various kinds. There have been a few over the years. One of the big was in 1887 on 13 November. The demonstration started with a protest against
the detention, William O 'Brian. Everything ended in chaos and two people were killed and 200 injured.
Trafalgar Square, London July 2008
Here you can view Trafalgar Square a beautiful hot summer day in July. A place for people to meet.
Play the film
Klick on the play button under the movie or in the movie screen, to start the movie.
Filmed by: Helen Larsson
Source: YouTube
Fun facts:
Trafalgar Square was the first site in London which was illuminated with electric lights. The lights came up 1848.
It must have been amazing to walk aroud the city at that time and pass and look at the lamps that shone in the dark.
The square is located in the city center. The square is mostly surrounded by streets, except the stairs to the north where you can walk up to the National Gallery and the beautiful church Martin-in-the-Fields. Are you looking down towards the south you can catch a glimpse of Big Ben far away down the street. In the southwest is your main street "the Mall", south of the square you see Whitehall, to the west you can see Canada House.
