When was nelsons column made

Among these are four plinths, three of which are occupied by statues of famous figures from history. The final plinth, which is located in the north-west corner of the square famously stood empty for years.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, specially commissioned artworks have been installed upon it on a temporary basis. The 11th piece to go on display is a seven-metre high sculpture of a thumbs up, known as Really Good, and created by David Shrigley.

Charing Cross Overland station is slightly further, but still within walking distance. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Password recovery. Grand Royale London Blog. London Travel Guide. Nelson was raised to his position high above the Square on 4 November , narrowly missing Trafalgar Day by just 14 days.

Once again lack of funds held up the final decoration but the Government Treasury made a contribution for the work to continue. The whole monument from top to bottom measures feet high It was always believed to be feet tall, but when scaffolding was erected and the column was cleaned in , the monument was found to be 16 feet shorter than recorded. Finally, the four famous lions were added to the foot of the column and have been a constant source of amusement for generations of children to clamber on.

They were sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer who apparently had nightmares about lions as he struggled with his commission!

Unfortunately he made an anatomical error as he sculpted the lions with concave backs. In real life when lions lie down, they have an arched back. However children over the years have made good use of that fortuitous mistake!

Regions N. Scotland S. Scotland NW. Admiral Nelson was one of Britain's best-loved heroes, who fought valiantly for his country and won four notable naval battles, at the personal cost of losing an arm and one eye. Nelson's last and most famous battle was fought off the Spanish cape of Trafalgar, when he defeated Napoleon and the French and Spanish fleets.

Read more here. Guarded by four huge bronze lions. Nelson's column is guarded by four huge bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer in They were made out of metal from guns that had been taken from old battleships. See Teaching Resources for today's date.