YeinJee's Asian Journal

Trafalgar Square is just a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus. The square was under renovation when I was there; in normal days it should be pretty crowded.

Trafalgar Square was completed in 1840 to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, a glorious British naval victory against a combined French and Spanish fleet.

The square used to be a favourite spot for pigeons; with pigeons’ droppings covering almost every inches in the area. Things have changed drastically after bird feeding was banned from the square in 2003.

At the centre of Trafalgar Square is the Nelson’s Column; built to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar. The granite column itself is 151 feet tall; and the 18 feet statue of Lord Nelson stands on top of the column.

Lord Nelson is one of the greatest naval heroes in UK history; famous for Battle of Nile (1798) and Battle of Trafalgar (1805). He was injured in the Battle of Trafalgar and died after the British fleet achieved their victory.

Nelson was given a state funeral and entombment in St Paul’s Cathedral. The bullet that killed him was taken out from his body and displayed at Windsor Castle.

UK & Europe travelogue

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