London
Characteristic:
London is the capital of both England and United Kingdom. It lies on the river Themes. Almost 7 million people
live in London and over 15 million in its conurbation . It includes City of London and 32 boroughs . London is the seat of the Monarch, Parliament,
Government and the Supreme Court. The Prime Meridian of the World runs across Greenwich in the east London.
History:
The first inhabitants were Celts in 800 BC. Then the place was occupied by Romans in 55 BC and in 43 BC they established Roman Londonium there.
After the Romans left, this city remains the capital for Britons. In 12th century Norman Kings moved the royal court from Winchester to London
forever. In 16th century there were established trading companies and Royal Exchange it seriously contributed to rise of London. The 17th century
brought suffering for London. In 1665 the Plague epidemic and in 1666 the Great Fire of London. After the fire four fifth of the city were destroyed.
The main architect after the fire was Christopher Wren and his masterpiece is St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then the first insurance, bank and the Stock
Exchange were established. One of the important things for London is the Port, which became the biggest in 19th century. In the 19th century the
infrastructure was established and a lot of suburbs were connected. In the 20th century the City was also seriously damaged during the World War
II.
The prime economic importance of London is financial and commercial center. Twenty-two percent of the world’s transactions take place in
London. More than 50 per cent of cargo shipping and air transport is also centered in London. In London there are 5 airports (the biggest are Heathrow
and Gatwick). The other main means of transport in London are: busses, underground and well known black taxis.
Places of
interests:
There are two cities in the center of London: the City of London and the City of Westminster. The City is the oldest part of
London. Now is the home to the financial district .
The city of London:
- the oldest part of the town, near
the river Themes
- West End – shops, theatres and cinemas
- East End – here are situated the docks and many immigrants and
workers live here
Tower of London - built by William the Conqueror in 11th century
- it was royal palace
before and then a prison and royal mint
- it is a museum now with a crown jewels (in Jewel House) , weapons
- the White Tower is
in the complex and it’s whole white
- the tower is guarded by Yeomen Warders, who still wear Tudor uniforms
- six ravens are
kept in the tower to protect whole kingdom
Tower Bridge - several exhibitions in two main towers about the history of the
bridge
- the bridge can break in the middle to allow tall ships to go through
- it takes 90 seconds to raise
St Paul’s Cathedral - built by Sir Christopher Wren in 17th century
- it stands on the place where was the Cathedral
which was destroyed in Great fire
- it is in Baroque style
- it is the second largest church in the world
- inside is
also the Whispering Gallery
- there were many famous occasions : Churchill’s funeral service
wedding of Charles and Diana
in 1981
- Britain’s heroes are buried there (Nelson, Wren, Duke of Wellington)
The Monument - commemorating the
place where the Great Fire started
- it is 60 meter-high
Other - the other famous buildings here are Bank of
London, the Stock Exchange, and Lloyds insurance
The city of Westminster:
- known as a political and
administrative centre
- familiar face of London
Houses of Parliament - political centre of United Kingdom, the home
of British Parliament
- after Great Fire rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style, only Westminster Hall is original
House of
Lords - in Gothic style, decorated in red with the throne of sovereign
- there also Woolsack where Lord Chancellor presides the
House
House of Commons - consists of parallel rows of green leather benches , which
face the table where the mace is
placed
- the Speaker presides this House
Big Ben - rises above the Parliament
- 97,5 metres high
-
the name is not of the clock but of the bell
Westminster Abbey - monarchs are crowned and heroes buried here
- it was built in the 11th century
- there is Coronation Chair with a historic Stone of Scone
- there is also Poet’s
Corner where some famous poets are buried
Buckingham Palace - home of kings and queens of Great Britain
-
built in 1703 by Duke of Buckingham
- the first monarch who lived here was the Queen Victoria
- outside the palace Changing of
the Guard is very big attraction
- the royal family occupy the north wing of the palace
- the royal Standard is flown when the
queen is in the palace
Queen Victoria Monument - in front of Buckingham Palace
- commemorate the queen
- from the
palace goes the Mall (expensive shops, gentleman’s clubs)
Trafalgar Square - largest square in London with busy
traffic
- the square commemorates the naval victory of Admiral Lord Nelson over the
French and Spanish fleet
- in the middle there is Nelson’s Column (50 m high) with Nelson’s statue (5 m)
- the column is surrounded by four lions
statues
National Gallery - on the Trafalgar Square
- is owns on of the greatest collection of Western
painting from 13th to 19th century
- pictures from many famous painters ( da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, van Gogh,
Monet,
Manet)
- there also National Portrait Gallery with photos of a famous people
Piccadilly Circus - there is a lot of colour
advertisements
- in the middle there is a fountain with a statue of a Eros the God of Love
Shopping:
- most best shops are in the West End
- Oxford street – the best known
- Regent Street – galleries, antiques and jewellery
shops
- Piccadilly – clothes shops
- Soho – a lot of restaurants, very dubious night life
Parks:
- St. James’s Park - the oldest one, the home of many water birds
- The Hyde Park - the most famous, consists
of trees and grass
- there is a Serpentine lake (boating and swimming)
- the Marble Arch was the executing place from 12th to
18th century
- at Speaker’s Corner everybody can say what he wants without punishment
- Kensington Gardens - Albert memorial
– commemorate Victoria husband
- Kensington Palace – home of the royal family
- Albert Hall is the place where take place a
lot of concerts
- Regent’s Park - London’s most elegant park – gardens, lakes and zoo.
Other
Places:
- British Library - more than 11 million volumes of printed books
- is a part of British Museum
-
Museum includes outstanding things from Egypt, Asia, China,
Greece, Rome…
- London Dungeon - situated in the City, first
medieval horror museum
- Madame Tussaud - contains wax portraits of a famous people
- Wembley - stadium for football
-
Wimbledon - here take place the world famous tennis championship
- Greenwich - there is a foot tunnel under the Themes
- on the
second shore there is a Cutty Sark – the old cargo ship
- there is also Old Royal Observatory and Greenwich Prime Meridian ( 0 )
- Thames Flood Barrier
- it is at the outfall of the Themes against floods
Zones.sk – Zóny pre každého študenta