Nelson's Column, Victory column in Trafalgar Square, United Kingdom.
Description
Nelson's Column is a victory monument in Trafalgar Square in central London, built with a granite shaft and a bronze statue of the admiral at the top. Four large bronze lions guard the base of the column and form a central focal point on the square together with surrounding fountains.
History
The memorial was erected in the 1840s to honor Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The lions were added two decades later, completing the design of the square.
Culture
The square around the column serves as a gathering place for celebrations and national events throughout the year. The four lions at its base have become a popular meeting point where people rest and watch the activity around them.
Practical
The nearest Underground station is Charing Cross, from which you can walk to the square in a few minutes. The entire area is open to pedestrians and allows a clear view of the monument from all sides.
Did you know?
The bronze reliefs at the base of the column were cast from captured French and Spanish cannons. The material came directly from ships taken during the naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars.
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