Victoria Square

Victoria Square is a pedestrian square in central Birmingham. It stands between New Street, Colmore Row and Paradise Street. The Town Hall and the Council House face each other on its west and north sides. The square was once called Council House Square and had a tramway through it. The square marks the centre of Birmingham and the point from which road distances are measured. A bronze statue of Queen Victoria stands on a marble plinth. The River, a large sculptural fountain by Dhruva Mistry, dominates the space. Antony Gormley’s Iron: Man, six metres tall, was added in 1993. The Frankfurt Christmas Market fills the square every December. Visitors find wide paving bordered by historic buildings. The Town Hall’s classical façade and the Council House’s dome frame the view. The River fountain, though often turned off, is planted with flowers when not in use. Iron: Man draws mixed comments from passers-by. The square links Chamberlain Square and the Bull Ring shopping area.