National Heroes Square
National Heroes Square
3.5
About
Across Broad Street from the Parliament Buildings and bordered by High and Trafalgar streets, this triangular "square" (formerly called Trafalgar Square) marks the center of town. Its monument to Lord Horatio Nelson (although Nelson was in Barbados only briefly in 1777, when he was a 19-year-old navy lieutenant) predates Nelson's Column in London's Trafalgar Square by 36 years. Also here are a war memorial and a fountain that commemorates the advent of running water on Barbados in 1865.
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3.5
111 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
44
Average
43
Poor
10
Terrible
0
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,495 contributions
Mar 2022
National Heroes Square is in the middle of Bridgetown, in days gone by it was called Nelson Square, after Admiral Horacio Nelson. Who Native Bayans have a strong affection for, as he visited Barbados, with the British fleet, just six months before his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Following the Admiral's death, the square was named Trafalgar after the great sea battle, and his statue was erected in 1813, about 36 years before England's more famous one was erected in London.
But with independence, the statue of Admiral Nelson was removed, and placed in storage somewhere amongst the Garrison complex of buildings.
The main tourist attractions now in National Heroes Square are, the decerped dolphin fountain, erected in 1865 to commemorate the introduction of piped water to Bridgetown but now is inoperative, and the surrounding garden has become home to various types of chickens, The Cenotaph War Memorial honoring Barbadians who died at war, which is built of grey granite with a coral stone base, the entrance to Chamberlain Bridge, and the Luxury yacht basin in the Careenage.
Opposite National Heroes Square are the historic Parliament Buildings where the Lower and Upper Chambers conducted national business, there is also a National Heroes Gallery and the Museum housed here, both worth visiting if open.
TIP: Visit the National Heroes Square early in the morning to avoid the crowds from the cruise ships.
I would apricate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative. Thank you.
But with independence, the statue of Admiral Nelson was removed, and placed in storage somewhere amongst the Garrison complex of buildings.
The main tourist attractions now in National Heroes Square are, the decerped dolphin fountain, erected in 1865 to commemorate the introduction of piped water to Bridgetown but now is inoperative, and the surrounding garden has become home to various types of chickens, The Cenotaph War Memorial honoring Barbadians who died at war, which is built of grey granite with a coral stone base, the entrance to Chamberlain Bridge, and the Luxury yacht basin in the Careenage.
Opposite National Heroes Square are the historic Parliament Buildings where the Lower and Upper Chambers conducted national business, there is also a National Heroes Gallery and the Museum housed here, both worth visiting if open.
TIP: Visit the National Heroes Square early in the morning to avoid the crowds from the cruise ships.
I would apricate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative. Thank you.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peeceecee
Skipton, UK1,001 contributions
Dec 2019
Small square with a statue of Nelson. Some historical significance but also controversial as Nelson and his fleet were protectors of the slave ships and he is certainly not regarded as a national hero to the Bajans. Also notable for the populous taxi rank!!
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller & Foodie
Montreal, Canada4,348 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
This square can be traced back to the early 1800’s. It represents the celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, when the British fleet under the leadership of Admiral Nelson. The area used to be called Trafalgar Square. Honestly average Square because there are vendors and taxi drivers ruining the important monument which is built to respect and honour the battle.
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Northampton, UK74 contributions
while you are in town doing your duty free shopping (remember to take your passport! pop on down to where the taxi drivers meet up and near by you will see national square, with a mini version of Nelsons colume however you will be able to have a closer look at Nelson as it is only 15 feet high Approx and no pigeons
Written 9 March 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,846 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Nice square with places to sit. Obviously most people have seen bigger and better in other countries, but this is part of Barbados history so visit it.
Written 4 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globebugs
Australia2,993 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
A little bit of London here in Bridgetown – formally known as Trafalgar Square with the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson to recognise his visit here and the battle of the same name - not as popular now for some residents due to links with British colonialism.
It also has a memorial commemorating the war heroes of both World Wars and the Dolphin Fountain acknowledging the introduction of piped water. One very interesting fact is that most island distances are calculated from this point!
As it is the centre of town many other local spots can be reached from here – Parliament Building, St Michael’s Cathedral and Broad St shopping. If you are walking around the town then like, as not you will end up here at some point - that's exactly how we found it.
Enjoy your experience!
It also has a memorial commemorating the war heroes of both World Wars and the Dolphin Fountain acknowledging the introduction of piped water. One very interesting fact is that most island distances are calculated from this point!
As it is the centre of town many other local spots can be reached from here – Parliament Building, St Michael’s Cathedral and Broad St shopping. If you are walking around the town then like, as not you will end up here at some point - that's exactly how we found it.
Enjoy your experience!
Written 21 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SharksSupporter1
Ballito, South Africa530 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
If you are in this area of Bridgetown you pass through National Heroes Square to get to and from the cruise ship terminal. There were lots of decorated Christmas trees around and the area is adjacent to Chamberlain Bridge and across the river from Independence square. Recommended
Written 15 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fisherman P
Speightstown, Barbados23 contributions
June 2012
A pictorial display of some of the heroes of Barbados and our only living hero, Sir Garfield Sobers, the world's best cricketer!
Written 29 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ct-cruisers
Connecticut6,197 contributions
Apr 2011
We like statues and squares, so this was an interesting one for us.
We passed by here as part of a cruise ship tour.
There is a lot of history in this area.
We passed by here as part of a cruise ship tour.
There is a lot of history in this area.
Written 22 April 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules C
Bridgetown, Barbados1,273 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
The name of the square remained, but the aesthetic has changed, the uprising of removing statues of colonial and a dark past in 2020 was not spared here, as the previous one was not a national hero of Barbados, located in the centre of Bridgetown is now a representation of the country's past and present heroes, depicting the removal of the shackles from slaves and their freedom, a story is told here, a little history if you will, as this location was the beginning of the slave trade, so this new monument is befitting and welcomed by all who visits
Written 9 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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