London Sights Day 1: Trafalgar Square

In 1812, the architect John Nash wanted a new street from Charing Cross to Portland Place, and he wanted it to be a cultural space open to the public. In 1830 the site was officially named Trafalgar Square. In 1838, Sir Charles Barry presented a plan to develop Trafalgar Square. This included the Nelson memorial statue and two fountains. The statue is in honour of Admiral Nelson, after his victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. There are four bronze panels at the base of the column, which depict some of Nelson's battles. The lions are said to protect Nelson's column. 
The square is linked to the National Gallery. The square is a central of national democracy and protest. Demonstrations and rallies are frequently held at weekends on different issues, f.e.political, religious or general. The Mayor supports this democratic tradition and gives access to the square. Two Greenpeace activists once climbed Nelson's column to fit a gas mask to the statue as part of a protest over air pollution.