The London landmark that was once a site for royal hawks and prehistoric fossils
Before it was a global symbol of protest and celebration, Trafalgar Square was a cluttered site of royal stables and ancient river deposits. From the 13th-century King's Mews to the discovery of prehistoric rhinoceros remains, the square’s history is far more wild than its polished granite suggests.
Long before the 1844 opening of the square, the site at Charing Cross served vital roles in London's infrastructure. Since the 1200s, it has functioned as a primary point for measuring distances from the capital. During the reigns of Richard II through Henry VII, the area housed the King's Mews, a facility where hawks were kept for moulting—the origin of the term 'mews'. By 1732, this had evolved into the Great and Green Mews, structures that occupied the space until George IV relocated them to Buckingham Palace.
The square's modern architecture emerged from the ambitious, though often stalled, visions of architects like John Nash and Charles Barry. While Nash proposed clearing the area in 1826, progress was interrupted by his death in 1835. The square was eventually realized by Barry, who managed the complex, sloping site by excavating the area to create a terrace for the National Gallery. This redevelopment also included the installation of fountains, originally intended to reduce heat and glare from the asphalt, and the iconic Nelson's Column, which stands 169 feet tall.
Beneath the surface, the square holds even deeper history. Excavations during 1950s redevelopment revealed river terrace deposits dating back 130,000 to 115,000 years. These fossils included cave lions, rhinoceroses, hippopotamus, and even the remains of straight-tusked elephants. Today, the square remains a vital democratic arena, hosting everything from the annual Norwegian Christmas tree tradition to significant political demonstrations, ranging from the 1887 Bloody Sunday to modern climate change campaigns.
Source: Trafalgar Square
