Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a square in central London named after the Battle of Trafalgar a famous naval battle of the Napoleonic Wars.

The square consists of a large central area surrounded by roadways. Underpasses attached to Charing Cross underground station allow pedestrians to avoid traffic. The square is a popular tourist spot in London, and is particularly famous for its pigeons.

In the middle of the square is Nelson's Column, surrounded by four huge lions sculpted by Sir Edward Landseer. Nelson's Column commemorates Lord Nelson the admiral who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar.

At the four corners of the square are four plinths. Three of them hold statues (of who?), while the fourth on the NorthWest corner has been empty since the square was designed. In the 1990s a project was set up to choose a sculpture to occupy it. Several modern artists had their work temporarily exhibited there, notably one who re-cast the stone plinth and placed the copy upside-down on the original.

On the north side of the square is the National Gallery. It also adjoins The Mall via Admiralty Arch. Trafalgar Square was designed by John Nash, a British architect.

Nearest London Underground station:

• Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines)

External Links

• http://www.camvista.com/england/london/trafsq.php3 (Webcam in Trafalgar Square)