Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, public square in central London that commemorates the victory of British naval commander Viscount Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The site, formerly occupied by run-down housing and stabling for the king's horses, was cleared in 1832 and developed according to a plan by British architect John Nash.

The square is dominated by Nelson's Column, a Corinthian column (see Column: Classical Columns) 46 m (151 ft) tall designed by British sculptor William Railton and erected in 1842. It is surmounted by a stone statue of Nelson in full dress uniform by British sculptor H.E. Bailey, which makes the monument just over 51.5 m (169 ft) tall when measured from the pavement to the top of the naval hero’s bicorne hat. In 1867 four bronze lions were added at the base of the monument, each 6 m (20 ft) long and 3.4 m (11 ft) high. The figures were cast from a design by British sculptor Sir Edwin Landseer. Two fountains designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens were erected in 1939.

Trafalgar Square, a popular tourist spot, is often the site of political demonstrations, as well as a traditional location of New Year celebrations. It is flanked on its north side by the National Gallery, a renowned art museum.