Located in the heart of London, Trafalgar Square is a popular destination amongst tourists to
the city of London. The square was named to commemorate the British Naval victory at the Battle of
Trafalgar and while it houses numerous monuments on its grounds, the most famous is Nelson’s Column
and the four lion statues that surround it.
Nelson’s Column is located right at the heart of the square and was built to commemorate the
death of Admiral Horatio during the Battle of Trafalgar. The column itself stands at 151 feet over
the ground, while atop it is a statue of Lord Nelson himself. The column’s construction and style
are based on the columns found at the Temple of Mars in Rome and features four bronze cannons that
symbolise Nelson’s four great victories. The four bronze lions around the column are said to be
guarding the column itself.
But Nelson’s Column isn’t the only attraction on offer at this site. Art lovers can also
visit the National Gallery which is located on the north side of the square. The gallery houses
over 2,300 paintings that range from the mid 13th century till 1900. Entry to view the main
exhibits is free, although there is a fee for certain special exhibits.
St Martin in the Fields is an Anglican church that is located on the northeast of Trafalgar
Square. The church’s crypt also has a café that hosts jazz concerts, a gift shop, an art gallery
and a book store.
The Fourth Plinth is a section of the square that houses works of art from various artists
for a period of one or two years before they are removed. Originally no exhibits were located in
the area that is in use today, and for this reason Forth Plinth is also known as the empty
Plinth. Today visitors to Trafalgar Square are guaranteed to see renowned works of art, as
these are selected from numerous entries for the Plinth position that compete to be displayed.
Trafalgar Square has also been the location of a several large scale events including the
declaration of victory in Europe during World War II by Winston Churchill. The square has also had
Christmas Day celebrations since the year 1947 and has been the setting of many political
demonstrations and celebratory events for sporting occasions.
Visitors can also indulge themselves at the café on the square which serves a variety of
mouthwatering dishes that is prepared using ingredients from the locale. The café offers an all day
menu and has a fully licensed bar and is available to be hired for a range of events.
Staying in a hotel near Trafalgar Square such as the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair offers
guests convenient access to rich destinations that are filled with attractions.
