Description of the attraction
Trafalgar Square is the main square in London and the country, embodying its former greatness. Here Churchill announced the victory in World War II to Londoners on May 8, 1945, here on Christmas they erect the country's main Christmas tree, hold meetings and celebrate here.
The square is the property of the British crown. Until the beginning of the 19th century, the royal stables were located here, in the very center of the capital. In 1820, George IV commissioned the architect John Nash to redevelop the quarter. However, Nash died before he could complete the project; the architect Charles Barry was involved in the implementation of his plans. He managed to organically combine the space of the square with the building of the National Gallery, which was being built to the north by the project of William Wilkins, which was criticized for its "lack of grandeur." The result is a stately, truly imperial architectural complex worthy of a world power.
The visual center of the square is Nelson's Column, erected here in 1843 in memory of the victory of the British fleet over the Franco-Spanish at Trafalgar. The column was not included in the original design of the square; it was erected with public donations designed by William Railton. At the top of a 46-meter granite column is an almost six-meter sculpture of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who commanded the British fleet during the battle and died on its first day from a bullet from a French sniper. The bronze ornament on the column is cast from the metal of English cannons, the panels on the pedestal are from the metal of captured French guns. The base of the column is surrounded by four giant roaring stone lions, carved in 1867 by Edwin Landseer.
Between the column and the National Gallery on the square, there are two huge fountains, installed here in 1840. In 1939, bronze newts, mermaids and dolphins appeared in them, the fountains were named after the admirals of the First World War, Beatty and Jellicoe.
In 1841, pedestals for monuments to statesmen were erected at the four corners of the square. On one of them now stands a monument to King George IV, on the other - to Major General Henry Havelock (suppressed the rebellion of the sepoys in India), on the third - to General Charles James Napier, commander of the British army in India.
The fourth pedestal has been empty for a very long time. From time to time, works of contemporary art are placed on it. Now the British society is discussing the idea of erecting a monument to Margaret Thatcher here. The discussion is very lively, the Baroness also has fierce opponents. It was on Trafalgar Square that hundreds of her haters came out with champagne after the death of the "iron lady", chanting "The witch is dead!" The British newspaper "Telegraph" ironically suggested discussing on this occasion whether Admiral Nelson himself was worthy of the honor to stand on the square - after all, he was also a "controversial" figure, had an affair with Lady Hamilton.
