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 Behind a statue of Charles II
is a bronze plaque set in the pavement that says that Trafalgar Square is the centre of
London. And indeed this world famous square has been a focal point of the city ever since
it was built in the mid 19th century Column
At the centre of the square is its most obvious, and most famous, landmark
- the 50m high Nelson's column that commemorates the death of the naval hero Viscount
Horatio Nelson. At the base are depictions of some of his most famous Battles, including
the Battle of Calvi (1794) where he lost an eye, the Battle of Santa Cruz (1797) where he
lost an arm, and the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) where he lost his life. The four lions at
the foot of the column were added in 1868 and the fountains as recently as 1939.
 As well as Nelson's column, Trafalgar Square iwas
also famous for its vast
number of resident pigeons. Made illegal by the then the
mayor of London Ken Livingstone, if you wished to feed them you
could have easily purchased birdseed
when the vast numbers that would try to feed from your hand
would probably swamp you!
Although these are most obvious attractions, Trafalgar Square is also the
location of several landmark buildings. On the north side of the square you will find the
National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, and to the north-east is St Martin's
in the Fields church. And if you look to the south-west of the square you will see
Admiralty Arch with the Mall (the street that leads to Buckingham Palace) stretching away
into the distance. Meanwhile, on the west hand side of the square is Canada House whilst
on the east hand side is South Africa House.
Tourists visit Trafalgar Square throughout the year, but it is worth noting that each
December the Square becomes the focal point of the Britain's Christmas and New Year
celebrations. Since the end of the Second World War, Norway has donated a huge Christmas
tree each year as a token of thanks for Britain's part in Norway's liberation from the
Nazis, and it is in Trafalgar Square that this tree is displayed.
And each New Year's Eve hundreds of people gather in the square to celebrate with drinking
and dancing taking place in the open air. Although in recent years steps have been taken
to tone down the excessive nature of the celebrations, this is still the place to go if
you are in the UK at the new year and you want to go to a party!
And each New Year's Eve hundreds of people gather in the square to
celebrate with drinking and dancing taking place in the open air. Although in recent years
steps have been taken to tone down the excessive nature of the celebrations, this is still
the place to go if you are in the UK at the new year and you want to go to a party!
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