Victoria Square, Birmingham

Often considered to be the center of the city, Victoria Square is a pedestrianized public square. It is home to the Town Hall, which stands on the western side of the square, and the Council House, which dominates the northern side. Saint Philip's Cathedral is nearby, a short walk east along Colmore Row.

Once known as Council House Square, it was renamed Victoria Square on January 10, 1901, in honor of Queen Victoria. Unfortunately, the Queen died just 12 days later.

During much of the 20th century, the square became a busy traffic junction. It was eventually decided to redevelop the area and turn it into a pedestrianized public space. The redevelopment was largely completed in 1993, and the remodeled square was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1994.

On July 12, 2012, the square was visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during the West Midlands leg of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Tour. They took part in a royal walkabout, met local schoolchildren and community representatives, and accepted a specially engraved silver plate as a gift from the city.

A fountain in the center of the square, designed by Dhruva Mistry, is called "The River." Its centerpiece is a monumental nude female figure representing the life force. Locals quickly nicknamed it "The Floozie in the Jacuzzi." Several other statues once stood in the square before its redevelopment. Queen Victoria is the only one that remains. The statue was created in marble by Thomas Brock and unveiled in 1901 near the Town Hall.

During the Christmas season, the square becomes the center of Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, which extends from Victoria Square along New Street. Its wooden stalls sell jewelry, handcrafted gifts, decorations, and traditional German food and drink, including bratwurst, pretzels, roasted almonds, and glühwein.