London/Trafalgar Square

From Imakoopedia

Trafalgar Square is a large public square in London commemorating Lord Horatio Nelson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Nelson)'s victory against Napoleon's navy at the Battle of Trafalgar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trafalgar) in 1805.

The central monument within the square is a single tall column on which the figure of Nelson stands gazing over London. His monument is surrounded by four colossal lions and a series of large fountains.

Much more than just an open plaza, Trafalgar Square is famous as the location of a large number of important buildings and institutions that surround the square and fill the streets surrounding it. Trafalgar Square also marks the northern end of Whitehall, the centre of British government.

[edit]

Understand

Trafalgar Square has recently (2002-2003) been renovated and expanded (http://www.worldsquares.com/) to link up directly with the National Gallery (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/) on the north side of the square - a great improvement to the traffic which once completely encircled this, the largest public square in London's West End. The early 18th century church of St Martins in the Fields (http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/) stands at the north-east corner of the square. Just by the church, Charing Cross Road gives access to the fabulous National Portrait Gallery (http://www.npg.org.uk/), and leads on further to Leicester Square, Soho and the famous collection of bookstores on the road itself. To the south, Whitehall leads to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street.

Christmastime sees the erection of a large Christmas Tree within the square, the annual gift of the people of Oslo, capital of Norway, as a token of gratitude for Britain's help in WWII. Trafalgar Square is also traditionally the scene of lively celebrations for Londoners on New Years Eve, though an inceasingly heavy police presence has meant that some antics (drunks leaping into the fountains) have all but disappeared. More recently, Trafalgar Square has served as an outdoor venue for concerts and VIP appearances, courtesy of the Mayor of London's Office, which is keen to see Londoners use their public spaces better. Visitors to the square on an ordinary day may also discover small-scale demonstrations and public speakers - the Square is a convenient gathering place near to, but not threatening, the seat of British government down the road at Westminster.

[edit]

Get in

The nearest Tube / Rail station to Trafalgar Square is Charing Cross on the Northern Line.

[edit]

See

Live Trafalgar Square webcam image: http://www.camvista.com/england/london/trafsq.php3

(clockwise from north)

Retrieved from "http://imakoopedia.org/en/article/London/Trafalgar_Square"