杨超庆---英国留学专贴

特拉法尔加广场Trafalgar Square

英国伦敦著名广场，坐落在伦敦市中心，东面是伦敦城，北接伦敦的闹市索荷区，南邻白厅大街，西南不远是王宫，适中的地理位置和美丽的场建筑，使它成为伦敦的名胜之一。特拉法尔加广场是为纪念著名的特拉法尔加港海战而修建的，广场中央耸立着英国海军名将纳尔逊的纪念碑和铜像。

它不仅吸引了众多的游客，也是伦敦政治、文化活动的中心。每年节日夜晚广场上都会有伦敦市民在这里狂欢。特拉法尔加广场也叫“鸽子广场”，其鸽子之多可与威尼斯的圣马可广场（圣马可广场(Plazza San Marco) 又称威尼斯中心广场）相比。在纳尔逊圆柱型纪念碑四周，鸽子成群，成为广场一景。

Trafalgar Square, the largest square in London, is often considered the heart of the city. Ever since the Middle Ages, this area has been a central meeting place. In the middle of the square stands a tall column honoring admiral Nelson.

From the thirteenth century on the area was the site of the King's Royal Hawks and later the Royal Mews. In 1812 the Prince Regent - who would later become King George IV - asked architect John Nash to redevelop the area. After much delay work finally started in 1830. Nash had the terrain cleared but he died before his plans were realized and works were halted.

The completion of the National Gallery in 1838 on the north side of the square reignited interest in its redevelopment. A new design by architect Charles Barry (best known for his Houses of Parliament), which consisted of two levels separated by a monumental flight of stairs was approved and construction started in 1840. Five years later the square was finally completed.