Nelson's Column

The centrepiece of Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column pays homage to Admiral Nelson, most famous for his role in the Battle of Trafalgar (this was the battle fought on Cape Trafalgar in Spain, against the Spanish and French armies, the latter led by Napoleon). Britain were victorious, although Nelson was killed in the fighting. Work began on the monument in 1840, and it was completed three years later. The base is covered with reliefs based on armaments captured from the French army, and a statue of Nelson himself stands proudly at the top of the column. According to a book published in 2007 by Ebury Press, Adolf Hitler planned to hijack the monument and transport it to Berlin if he succeeded in conquering Britain. He didn’t of course, and Nelson’s Column is still one of London’s most famous landmarks, usually surrounded by throngs of tourists at any time of the year. At over 50 metres tall, this was once one of London’s tallest constructions, hard to believe now that the Gherkin and the Shard have sprung up.