английский / Topics / Places of interest in London
.docPlaces of interest in London.
London is the capital of England and GB with the population about 12 million. London is not a simple city; it is a small country, where numerous achievements of mankind in the field of culture and art are concentrated. This city can not be confused with another city in the world, because visiting cards of London are widely known all over the world. London taxi-cabs, red public telephones, policemen and other things can be considered as its visiting cards. It would take a lot of time enumerating characteristics and unforgettable features of that great city, but there is no doubt the most famous and well-known London sight is Big Ben.
Most people believe that Big Ben is a big clock placed on one of the towers of the building of Parliament. Actually this is the name of the bell, but neither of the clock nor of a tower.
Geographical center of London is Trafalgar Square; it was called with the purpose of commemoration of the British victory in the Trafalgar battle in 1805. At the square center the Nelson’s column is raised, Nelson headed the British Fleet in that battle and he perished as a true hero.
The city is the oldest part of London, the Tower of London is there, and it was constructed in 1087. It was a Palace, a fortress and a former prison transformed into a museum. The history of London is inseparably connected with the history of the Tower. As they say London is a key to England, and the Tower is a key to London.
Speaking about London it is necessary to tell something about Parliament. The building of Parliament is well-known all over the world, it is not only a historical architectural monument, but also it is an original image of the British democracy.
It is necessary to mention that London is one of the largest centers of theatrical activities and art. Numerous museums, exhibitions, theatres are situated there. The National gallery, the National Portrait gallery, they contain the finest art collections in the world, The Royal Shakespeare Company , the British Museum, that is famous for its rich library.
Buckingham Palace is one of the most known historical monuments. The Palace itself and, enclosing it, delightful gardens take huge territory and they are considered to be the most interesting places for numerous tourists of London. Especially they are attracted by the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. The largest park of London, which is called Hyde Park, is also situated in that part of London. A lot of tourists frequently go to see traditional discussion in, so-called “Speaker’s Corner”, where everyone who wants, can make a speech.
Westminster Abbey is the place where coronation of nearly all kings and queens has taken place. It was build more than 900 years ago. Most tourists necessarily visit Poet’s corner situated in that Abbey. Many world known writers and poets were buried there, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling were among them. It would be exiting to touch the gravestones and to read the epitaphs on the graves of the famous British people.
One of the masterpieces of London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest church of London. It was built if 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren.
In the end it is necessary to add, that London was included into the list of the World Heritage.