Nelson R. Mandela, President of the Republc of South Africa
unveiled this panel on the occasion of his State Visit, 12 juty 1996.

Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Squaге is the centre for national rejoicing, assemblies and ralies of various causes. It is on the site of former Royal Mews and stables dating back to the days of Edward I (1272-1307).
The present square was laid out in 1840 by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament, a short way to the south, down Whitehall.

The square commemorates the famous victorу of Admiral Horatio Viscount Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, during which he was killed. Nelson’s Column, оn top of which is a statue of thе Admiral, is оne of London’s most famous landmarks. Arоund the base aгe four bronze panels depicting his four major naval victories.

Behind you is South Africa House, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, home of the high Commission for the Republic of South Africa.

To your right stands St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Designed by James Gibbs, it replaced two earlier churches on the site. On the north side of the square is the National Gallery housing one of the world’s great collections of old master paintings. It was completed in 1838 to the designs of William Wilkins.

Facing you across the square is Canada House, much changed since is design by Roben Smirke between 1824-1827. To its left, Sir Aston Webb’s Admiralty Arch is the gatewey to The Mall, London’s only processional way leading to Buckingham Palace. South of the square is the equestrian statue of Charles I by Hubert Le Sueur (1633) Ordered to be destroyed by Cromwell, it was hidden and re-erected by Charles Il in 1675 after the Restoration.

P.T.Nicholls DIP.Arch. RIBA of Design Research Unit, London SE1 8UE

Part of the Jubilee Walkway, a walking route established in 1977 to mark 25 years of Queen Elizabeth II accession.

The route includes major points in London.

This sign was unveiled by Nelson Mandela during his visit to the UK in 1996

In the following image, part of the sign is enlarged Click for a larger image

The following photos taken that day feature sites in the square: the square and the center of Nelson’s Column Click for a larger image
National Gallery and Church of St. Martin in the Fields Click for a larger image
The Fountain and Nelson’s Column Click for a larger image

Another sign is in the square Click for sign's details