London
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,
for there is in London all, that life can afford."
If only the stones could speak we would learn that London, the greatest city in the world, is at least 2000 years old and was settled long before the 1st Roman Invasion. 2000 years ago the Romans formed a settlement where the city of London stands and called this place Londinium.
When William the Conqueror invaded Britain, he acknowledged London as the country's capital. The medieval face of London was dramatically changed by the Plague which broke out in 2 September 1666. Little damage occured during World War I, but World War II brought tremendous destruction. Yet London, the world's capital, has kept its heart.
London is one of the world's most enjoyable cities. Visited by millions of tourists, the city offers them an astonishing variety of scenes. In this historic city the modern rubs shoulders with the old, the present is ever conscious of the past, the great and the small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect; in every part of London's busy and complex life there is to be found a very genuine affection for her traditions and her fortunes.
But the 1st place to visit is The Tower There is more of London's history in the Tower than anywhere else. It is the oldest surviving building in London, dating from the Norman Conquest and even before that the sight had been used by the Romans and later by the Saxons as a fortress. The Tower of London has been "fortress, palace, home of the Crown Jewels and national treasures, arsenal, mint, Zoo and tourist attraction". It is now a museum. For many visitors the principal attraction is The Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones of the nation. Here is probably the world's largest and most valuable collection of jewels and gold plate.
The Houses of Parliament are one of the city's best attractions for those who are interested in history, architecture and politics into the bargain. This structure is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. The Cloch Tower is called "Big Ben". The palace was used both as a royal residence and also as a parliament house intil he 16th century.
The Westminster Palace was occupied by the Parliament and became its parliament's home. When Parliament is sitting it is possible to hear debates form the strangers' Galleries.
One of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture is Westminster Abbey or "the as it's affectionally called by the English. Westminster Abbey is a national shrine where kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. Founded by Edward the Confessor in 1050, one of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is the oaken coronation chair made in 1300. Holding pride of the place is the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, commemorating the nation's dead who perished in the 1st World War. The Abbey is also known for its Poets' corner. Graves and memorials to many English poets and writers are clustered round about.
St. Paul's Cathedral, the spiritual centre of the city and Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, was always dominated the centre of London. It stands on the sight of former Saxon and Norman churches. Later they were destroyed in the Great Fire and the present building, completed in 1710 is the work of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren. Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul's, which is the largest protestant church.
A popular rendezvous for londoner and tourist alike is Trafalgar Square, the natural centre of London. Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery on the North side and Whitehall to the South has become a huge traffic ireland. In the centre of the Square, Nelson stands atop his 145 foot high monument. This legendary admiral, victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, is guarded by a quarter of lions at the Column's Base. The fountains and friendly pigeons make Trafalgar Square a place for pilgrimage for visiters.
And of course visiting London one should never miss a chance to visit Madam Tusseau's. It's the world famous waxworks museum. Here the visitor may wander through the pages of history and mingle with the famous and unfamous. London has buildings that express all the different areas of its history, for London manages in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfil the functions of a modern city. Thereis always something new to be discovered, some fresh approach to a familiar scene, some curious place of history to be investigated.
