You’re almost at Fitzalan Square! Look ahead-you’ll spot an open space with a bold bronze statue right in the middle, raised high on a stone pedestal. To your right, you’ll see a grand sandstone building with rounded rooftops and arched doorways. On the left, there are a few modern red-brick buildings with big windows. You can’t miss the statue; he’s towering over the square, keeping a watchful eye on everyone passing by.
Now, imagine yourself standing here over a hundred years ago-cobblestones underfoot, the clatter of cab wheels, and street vendors calling out their wares. Fitzalan Square has always been full of life, with the thrum of people and trams passing through it every day.
Back in medieval times, this spot was the market quarter, buzzing with shoppers and tradesfolk, long before online shopping was even a dream! The square is named after the old Fitzalan Market Hall, a massive building that stood nearby from the late 1700s until the 1930s. It got its name from the Fitzalan family-a branch of the powerful Howards, who basically owned half the city. I suppose if you own enough land, they’ll name a square after you. Not bad!
Right in front of you stands the bronze statue of King Edward VII. He’s been here since 1913, replacing a clock and a cab stand-because apparently, he felt the need to keep an eye on punctuality himself. By the way, if he looks serious, it’s probably from having pigeons on his head for over a century.
Behind the statue is the former head post office, a grand old building in pale stone. This place was busy with letters and parcels for 90 years, so you could say it was Sheffield’s answer to WhatsApp, just with a lot more walking.
To your left is the White Building. Its creamy, detailed facade was actually designed to resist the city’s famous clouds of smoke and soot. The architects thought of everything! And the carvings? They’re little tributes to Sheffield’s legendary metal trades.
Back in the early 1900s, there was the Electra Palace Cinema on the corner, where you could escape the drizzle and see the latest flicks. It’s now an amusement arcade, where the only drama is whether you’ve got enough change for another go.
But let’s pause for a moment at the corner by High Street, where you’ll find the “Marples” building-or, at least, what stands there today. The Marples was once a grand hotel, a place that locals cherished. But on a night in December 1940-during the Sheffield Blitz-it became a place of tragedy. As bombs rained down, people crowded into the cellars for what they hoped was safety. One bomb hit directly, turning the hotel into rubble in seconds. Remarkably, seven men survived, found alive the next day under the collapsed roof. Talk about being due for a lucky break!
So, as traffic and trams whiz past, and you hear the heart of Sheffield beating around you, imagine all the stories and secrets this place has seen. Welcome to Fitzalan Square-the crossroads of history, hustle, and a few very persistent pigeons.
