Trafalgar Square

From ArticleWorld

Trafalgar Square, the largest square in London, has been a central meeting place and has played a very important part in shaping British history. Trafalgar Square represents London in its tourist map and is one of the top most tourist attractions of the City. Built to venerate Admiral Horatio Nelson, the square was named after the Battle of Trafalgar, where he won his last battle, over the French Fleet. The Square has emerged as a very popular site to stage political and social demonstrations.

Importance

The first layout of the Square was designed by John Nash (of Piccadilly Circus fame) under the advice of King George V, but the Neo-classical design was finally completed by Sir Charles Barry due to Nash’s untimely death. When Nelson was fatally wounded in the Trafalgar Battle, it was decided to dedicate the square to his memory and call it Trafalgar Square. Before this it had been called the Charing Cross, on account of a memorial cross being placed there. In fact the subway station closest to the Square is still known by its old name, Charing Cross.

Layout

The beautiful buildings we admire were designed in the 1820’s and it took close to twenty years to complete the Square as we see it today. In the centre of the Square is the tall Nelson’s column with the four lions at its base. This fine Corinthian column was built in 1842 after a design chosen from a selection of competition entries. On top of the column stands the statue of Lord Nelson.

To the north of the square lies the National Gallery. The area in front of the National Gallery was opened up and a flight of stairs now leads to the museum. This is a most convenient and a wonderful improvement as earlier people had to cross a busy road to visit the museum. On the east side of the Square is the Strand and the South Africa House, with African animals featured on the stone arches. To the South of the Square lies Whitehall. Canada House is located on the West side of the Square. It is open to the public and, interestingly, visiting Canadian nationals can read Canadian newspapers, browse on line, or send and receive emails in Canada House. Each year in December, the people of Norway send an enormous Christmas Tree to Britain, which is raised in Trafalgar Square. This is by way of thanking Britain for their liberation during WW-II.