Nelsons Column Trafalgar Square London England Nelsons column is located literally in the heart of Trafalgar Square London. William Railton was commissioned to build it and the origional model is not exactly the same as the full size version. It took 3 years to put up. Lord Admiral Horaio Neslon is a great British naval hero. Nelson's Column is a memorial produced after his victory and unfortunate death at the battle of Trafalgar. History of Nelsons Column After Nelson's death, he became such a hero in the United Kingdom that the government decided to commemorate both the importance of the battle and the popularity of the victor. The Nelson Memorial Committee was founded in 1838 to raise money for a memorial to Nelson. They also invited people to design an appropriate monument. The architect William Railton won the commission later that year.William Railton's Original ModelRailton's proposal and model had a gray marble base, but showed some details not featured in the finished monument. It had an additional flight of steps in front of the monument. Any visitor would have had to walk up this flight to reach its foot.The model is on display in The National Maritime Museum. It was loaned to the Museum in 1958 by a London steeplejack who had bought the model from a stonemason some years earlier. The Heart of Trafalgar Square Such a monument as Nelson's column needed a place to embrace it. The main commercial districts of the city of London are built around Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Square. Between 1829 and 1843, John Nash designed London's Trafalgar Square. Around the sides of the square are the church of St Martin's in the fields and the National Gallery. The latter houses one of the world's richest collections of paintings.Nelson's column remains in Trafalgar Square to this day. The square is overrun daily by pigeons. It is a major tourist attraction in London. Although one can not see any specific detail of the statue, it still impresses visitors. It can be seen from a great distance. Also the streets of Whitehall and Charing Cross flow from it.The building of the monument began in 1840. It took three years to erect. Dominating Trafalgar Square, is the column that is over 180 feet high. Acanthus leaves, cast from British cannons decorate the top. At the base are four bronze relief panels cast from armaments captured from the French. These panels depict the four great victories of Admiral Nelson. In 1843, just before Nelson's statue was placed on the top of the column, 14 stonemasons held a dinner on the flat top of the supporting column.An 18-foot high statue of Nelson stands on top of the column.The four great lions at the base of the column seem to guard it. These were added later in 1868. They are made of bronze and designed by Edwin Landseer.The monument was at one point sold to an American by a Scottish con man.Admiral Horatio Nelson - History of a Hero of the British NavyBorn in 1758, he was made commander in chief of the British fleet in May 1803. This great man fought valiantly for his country many times and won many notable naval battles. This came at the personal cost of losing an arm and one eye. Admiral Horatio Nelson's last and most famous battle was the Battle of Trafalgar. Off the Spanish cape of Trafalgar, he defeated Napoleon and the French and Spanish fleets. Sadly, during it, on 21st of October 1805, he lost his life aboard H.M.S. Victory.
