Piccadilly Circus

The square owes its name to a tailor whose workshop was located near the square. In the 18th century he made a ruff called "picadil". Circus results from the Latin name for a round surface.

The "navel of the world"

The square was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. King George IV had wanted a boulevard between St. James's and Regent's Park. Thus, among others, the Piccadilly Circus was built, at first only as a simple crossing. On the busy square, a fountain was erected in the year 1893 in honour of the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. The fountain has since become known as the Eros Fountain, although the figure on top is said to represent an angel rather than Eros. This fact earned the builder of the fountain a lot of ridicule at the time. During colonial times, Londoners liked to refer to the square as the "navel of the world". In the course of the time, the continuously increasing traffic required some changes and so, the most frequented place of London was rebuilt in many ways and also the fountain was moved.

Worldwide known illuminated advertising

Especially at night, the distinctive billboards shine for a long time and the Piccadilly Circus is rightly compared to the Times Square in New York. After some years, neon signs were installed at different buildings, in the meantime, it is only allowed at the corner building at the Shaftesbury Avenue.

Shop, shop, shop

At the north-eastern end of the square is the London Pavilion shopping centre; the building, which dates from 1859, once served as a music hall. Visitors will also find a wide variety of shops in the surrounding streets. Those who like it a little more expensive will shop in the Regent's Street.