Trafalgar Square, A Gathering Of The Masses

Trafalgar Square was built in the 1830s. This area has a double purpose-tourism and political awareness. During the Christmas season every year, the country of Norway provides the area with a...

Trafalgar Square was built in the 1830s. This area has a double purpose-tourism and political awareness. During the Christmas season every year, the country of Norway provides the area with a Christmas tree. This is their way of appreciation for Britain helping them to separate from the Nazis.

This area was named in memory of the Battle of Trafalgar. The British Navy fought in the wars of Napoleon. Trafalgar Square is full of history. In 1845, the area was redeveloped.

Prior to that, the King’s Mews and Charing Cross was located in Trafalgar Square. In the 1820s, that changed. The King’s Mews were then relocated to Buckingham Palace per orders of Prince George IV.

Within Trafalgar Square, the area is centered with roads built on three sides of it. On the last side, the National Gallery is located there. You will also find lion statues made out of recycled metals and painted a bronze color. In 1939, fountains were added to the lion statues.

Each of the four square corners has a statue of a prominent person from London. One has Prince George IV, another one has Sir Charles Napier and anther one has Henry Havelock.

At the fourth one, William IV was supposed to be at that one. However, due to lack of funds, it didn’t come to fruition. Ever since 1999, different artists have displayed their work in this area, because the powers that be could not agree on what to do.

Pigeons were welcomed in the square for a while. However, people became drained with them coming around. The more that came, the more droppings they deposited on the buildings, causing them to look dull.

In the year 2000, people could no longer sell bird seeds in Trafalgar Square. This in turn, forced a complete stoppage of feeding the birds. Now, you hardly see any pigeons in that area.

Trafalgar Square is also used to hold political rallies. In 1886 and 1887, a set of prominent rallies were held in this area, the Black Sunday and Black Monday gatherings.

Nowadays, you’ll see people rally about the war and nuclear weapons. You can also find them going against things like the poll tax, apartheid and anything that the locals feel is unconstitutional.

In addition to the Christmas tree from Norway, during the Christmas season, there is caroling in the square. Many groups of carolers from different countries sing carols to raise money for different charities and other causes deemed appropriate. Tourists are also welcome to come to the Café on the Square where they can partake of Christmas treats.

In addition to touring Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery, you can also visit St.-Martin-in-the-Fields. You can walk to Chinatown, Parliament Square or Buckingham Palace.

Your best bet to get to Trafalgar Square is to get on the London Underground. There are several “tube” stations where you can access it from. You can get there from Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus or Embankment “tube” stations.

Or you can reserve a hotel that is nearby the area, so you won’t have to walk that far. However you decide to do it, you can’t leave London without coming to Trafalgar Square.

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