Please read and enjoy our article and watch your FREE LONDON MUSIC VIDEO at the end Trafalgar Square . The name is evocative and known around the world but what does the name mean and what is the square for?
In fact, the name of this central London square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar . Once described as the most famous place on Earth that no one has ever been to, Cape Trafalgar near Cadiz in Southern Spain , was a little-known point on the map until the year 1805 . On the 21st October of that year, one of the greatest naval battles in history took place in the seas around the Cape, famously to become known as The Battle of Trafalgar. | | Fought between the British Royal Navy under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet headed by French Admiral Villeneuve , the Battle of Trafalgar was a pivotal moment in the long-running Napoleonic Wars in Europe.
Napoleon was planning an invasion of Britain but, to achieve victory, Napoleon knew that he had to gain supremacy on the high seas.
Although greatly outnumbered, Admiral Nelson pulled off a dramatic victory over Napoleon's fleet at Trafalgar, employing innovative maritime warfare tactics to surprise the enemy.
The Battle of Trafalgar shattered Napoleon's dreams of a British invasion, forcing him to switch focus to a 'continental strategy' and ultimately bringing him to defeat at Waterloo in 1815 .
Sadly, Lord Nelson was to lose his life in the Battle of Trafalgar. He died aboard his beloved battleship HMS Victory shortly after Villeneuve's fleet was defeated.
To this day, Admiral Lord Nelson remains one of Britain's greatest war heroes , his most famous memorial being Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
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To commemorate the battle and their hero, the huge 185 ft column was constructed in the newly named Trafalgar Square in Nelson's honour. Nelson's Column is guarded by four huge bronze lions at its base and two fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens commemorating Lord Jellicoe (western side) and Lord Beatty (eastern side), two of Nelson's Senior Officers at the Battle of Trafalagar. The metal used to construct the lions is said to have been recycled from the cannon of the French fleet.
Trafalgar Square lies in the heart of London and most of London's attractions lie within easy reach of this point.
At the southern end of Trafalagar Square was the original Charing Cross . This is a point where The Strand , the road coming west from the City of London met Whitehall , coming north from Westminster .
As the midpoint between these two areas, Charing Cross is to this day considered the heart of London , from which all distances are measured.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the famed National Gallery containing some of the most beautiful and valuable paintings in existence.
Next to the National Gallery is Charing Cross Road , and its famous bookshops , leading to Leicester Square and its cinemas , and Oxford Street and its world-renowned shopping .
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|  | | Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column,
Big Ben in distance | To the east of Trafalgar Square lies St Martin-in-the-Fields church and its neighbour South Africa House , scene of many large demonstrations during the days of apartheid; and where the revered Nelson Mandela once appeared as South Africa's new President, to a rapturous reception. Also to the east of Trafalgar Square lies The Strand , heading off to the business district of the City of London via Fleet Street , St. Paul's Cathedral , Tower Bridge and its companion, the Tower of London.
To the south of Trafalgar Square is Whitehall leading to Downing Street , residence of the British Prime Minister , the Houses of Parliament , Big Ben and Westminster Bridge.
To the southwest of Trafalgar Square lies the impressive Admiralty Arch leading to The Mall and Buckingham Palace , the main residence of the Royal family . On the west side of Trafalgar Square lies Canada House , home of the Canadian embassy , Pall Mall leading to St James , Piccadily and Hyde Park . | | One of the four bronze lions |
| Trafalgar Square 's statues
At the risk of sending many of our readers gently to sleep but, recognising there are readers who are generally interested in these things, we shall identify the statues in Trafalgar Square . Should further information be required on the individuals portrayed, then a Google search will provide this.
At each corner of Trafalgar Square are large plinths; the two northern ones were intended for equestrian statues, and thus are wider than the two southern . Three of the plinths hold statues: George IV (northeast) , Henry Havelock (southeast) and Sir Charles James Napier (southwest) . The northwest plinth of Trafalgar Square is devoid of a permanent statue and holds a series of temporary exhibits.
On the lawn in front of the National Gallery are two statues, James II to the west of the entrance portico and George Washington to the east. The latter statue, a gift from the state of Virginia, stands on soil imported from the United States. This was done in order to honour Washington's declaration he would never again set foot on British soil.
Finally, there is a bust of the Second World War First Sea Lord Admiral Cunningham . This was unveiled in Trafalgar Square on 2 April 1967 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh .
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| Political Activities
Trafalgar Square has become a social and political location for visitors and Londoners alike, developing over time from "an esplanade peopled with figures of national heroes, into the country's foremost place politique," as one historian wrote.
Certainly, Trafalgar Square is no stranger to colourful flags, placards and passionate, jostling crowds.
From his lofty perch above Trafalgar Square, Lord Nelson has turned not only a blind eye but surely two deaf ears to the countless rousing megaphone speeches taking place a 185 feet below.
Every New Year's Eve Trafalgar Square becomes a focal point for Londoners' year-end celebration with frolickings continuing into the early hours including the odd dunking in Trafalgar Square 's fountains .
This practice, greatly frowned upon by the 'Health and Safety brigade', is invariably discouraged by the strategic measure of switching off of the taps! |
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