The name of the square was given by George Ledwell Taylor, representing a tribute to the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The idea for the architectural design of the square belongs to Sir Charles Barry which was accomplished in 1845.
The Trafalgar Square has a large central area three of which sides are embraced by roadways while other side leads to the National Gallery.
Right in front of the National Gallery are the two magnificent statues of James II and George Washington.
To the east of the gallery you can see the St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
In the centre of the square is Nelson’s Column on top of which stands the statue of an admiral Horatio Nelson who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar.
Fountains and four major bronze lions surround the Nelson’s Column. The lions were designed by Sir Edwin Landseer and the fountains are the work of Edwin Lutyens who made them in 1939. The fountains were built in memory of Lord Jellicoe and Lord Beatty.
There are four plinths in the corners of the square, three of which contain the statues of George IV, Henry Havelock and Sir Charles James Napier. The fourth plinth is supposed to keep the equestrian statue of William IV but it ultimately did not happen because of lack of funds.
The New Greater London Authority decided to take care of the plinth, providing series of exhibitions. The displays include the marble torso-bust of Alison Lapper, a model of 21-storeys as well as the quite interesting display where within 100 days, a randomly selected number of 2,400 people had to stand on the plinth for an hour.
In 2003 the northern part of the square was reconstructed as a process leading to create two Saxon scissors lifts for those with disabilities as well as a small café and several public toilets.
Trafalgar Square hosts New Year events, Christmas ceremonies, Political demonstrations and Sport events.
Address:
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5DN
United Kingdom
No comments:
Post a Comment