London "If you're tired of London, then you're tired of living, because there is everything that you can expect from life" - so wrote Samuel Johnson in And today, he would have all of the great places in the city, which stretches to the banks of the Thames, which flows from Hampton Court and the Houses of Parliament to St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge and the Tower of London and beyond to Greenwich and the sea. Today, London is a major international center and covers about 625 square. miles. This is a wonderful world, which many foreign tourists are seen first with the height of the plane, wondering zigzag ribbon of the Thames and the beauty of the many bridges. History of London, documented and goes back to the time when the place of Westminster was still a swamp. The Romans settled in the territory of the modern City region in about 60 AD, built a bridge across the Thames, and created the famous commercial center, attracts many traders. Value of Westminster, which was originally built as a royal palace shortly before the invasion in 1066 William - the Conqueror, began to increase after it became a place for meetings of the government. The palace was not far from the Thames, close to Westminster Abbey, a few miles from the City. Big Ben, the voice of London, shows the exact time since Construction of the clock tower height at 320 pounds began in 1837 with the ascent to the throne of Queen Victoria. At this time there was a reconstruction of the buildings of Parliament, affected by fire in Designer hours, Sir Edmund Grimtorp, architect and clockmaker died before the bell, weighing 13.5 tons was set for the four clock faces, the area of which 23 square meters. pound. Лондон в Средние века Современный Лондон

Tower In the book, devoted to 900 anniversary of the Tower, the Duke of Edinburgh, wrote that "in its history, the Tower of London was a fortress, and palace, and the repository of royal jewels, and the arsenal, and mint and a prison, and the observatory and zoo and tourist attractions ". First, the royal family lived in a well-protected the White Tower, the thickness of the walls of which reaches I5 feet. So-called "Traitors' Gate" leading to the river, reminiscent of the past, when before they were famous prisoners sentenced to death. Among the prisoners were Sir Walter Raleigh, who spent 13 years in the Tower, and Queen Anne Boleyn. But the future Queen Elizabeth 1 was released and crowned. Judging by the documentary evidence of the suffering of prisoners in the days of the Reformation, ill-treatment has become the norm. The collection of royal jewels had been razed, but with the return of the monarchy Stuart dynasty revived the original idea to create a museum to commemorate the military achievements of the King and country. In Royal Menagerie was moved to the zoo, and were left alone in the Tower ravens. Today the Tower, which already is neither a palace nor Tauertyurmoy London, has retained traditional features, ranging from clothing Beefeater (soldier protection) to stand on ceremony Tower. Most of the royal jewels back to the period after the English Republic, but some ancient items are to an earlier time and are used during the sacred moments of the coronation. Among them, a spoon, which probably refers to the end HIIv?? and the sacred vessel, which may be used at the coronation of Henry IV at 1399g. Edward's Crown, weighing about 5 pounds was made in 1661g. for the coronation of Charles 11, Crown, Queen Victoria (1838g.) is decorated with ruby "Black Prince". In the book, devoted to 900 anniversary of the Tower, the Duke of Edinburgh, wrote that "in its history, the Tower of London was a fortress, and palace, and the repository of royal jewels, and the arsenal, and mint and a prison, and the observatory and zoo and tourist attractions ". First, the royal family lived in a well-protected the White Tower, the thickness of the walls of which reaches I5 feet. So-called "Traitors' Gate" leading to the river, reminiscent of the past, when before they were famous prisoners sentenced to death. Among the prisoners were Sir Walter Raleigh, who spent 13 years in the Tower, and Queen Anne Boleyn. But the future Queen Elizabeth 1 was released and crowned. Judging by the documentary evidence of the suffering of prisoners in the days of the Reformation, ill-treatment has become the norm. The collection of royal jewels had been razed, but with the return of the monarchy Stuart dynasty revived the original idea to create a museum to commemorate the military achievements of the King and country. In Royal Menagerie was moved to the zoo, and were left alone in the Tower ravens. Today the Tower, which already is neither a palace nor Tauertyurmoy London, has retained traditional features, ranging from clothing Beefeater (soldier protection) to stand on ceremony Tower. Most of the royal jewels back to the period after the English Republic, but some ancient items are to an earlier time and are used during the sacred moments of the coronation. Among them, a spoon, which probably refers to the end HIIv?? and the sacred vessel, which may be used at the coronation of Henry IV at 1399g. Edward's Crown, weighing about 5 pounds was made in 1661g. for the coronation of Charles 11, Crown, Queen Victoria (1838g.) is decorated with ruby "Black Prince". Тауэрский ворон

Stonehenge Giant construction Stonehenge - the stone puzzle at the heart of Europe, as called this wonderful monument to one of the researchers Dr. Umlmor Trever. This ancient building situated in England, now, archaeologists agreed that this architectural monument built in three phases between 3500 and 1100 years. BC. Stonehenge I was a circular ditch with two rooms, and possibly served as a cemetery. In the circle along the outer wall are 56 small funeral "Aubrey holes", so named in honor of John Aubrey, who first described them in the XVII century. To the north-east of the entrance to the ring stood a huge, seven-Heel Stone. During the construction of Stonehenge II was constructed earthen walkway between the Heel stone and the entrance. Been erected two rings of 80 huge boulders of blue color, which probably brought over 320 km from South Wales. At the final stage of construction was a permutation of megaliths. The blue stones were replaced circular colonnade of 30 trilitov, each of which consisted of two upright stones and build on a horizontal plate. Inside the ring was installed horseshoe of five separate trilitov. In general, Stonehenge is a construction of 82 five-ton megaliths, 30 blocks of stone, weighing 25 tons and 5 huge so-called trilitov, stones, weighing up to 50 tons. Folded stone blocks form the arch, which served as a perfect indicator cardinal. Until recently, scientists assumed that this monument was erected in 3100 BC, lived in the British Isles tribes to monitor the Sun and the Moon. But the latest data of modern science are forced to reconsider many of the conclusions of researchers.

Trafalgar Square living in Trafalgar Square pigeons moved here from the coastal cliffs of the British. Now they rock - the cross of the church of St. Martin, the dome of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery and the cocked Admiral Nelson, who is on the 44-meter column. Below this is not visible, but the right sleeve with Horatio Nelson is empty, the right eye either. Admiral died in 1805 after its most resounding victory - the battle of Trafalgar, during which the British defeated the Franco-Spanish fleet and achieved complete domination of the sea. Beneath a national hero - mad flow, but not water, and people. (Incidentally, automobile traffic on the area blocked off recently. Motorists cursed the initiator, the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, all the other terrible satisfied.) You can climb the surrounding Nelson's lions and outside the company with Japanese tourists and pigeons out to admire the surrounding bustle, but it is best to learn from the windows of an exemplary bar Rockwell - he had the right column on the first floor of the hotel The Trafalgar. From the equestrian statue of Charles I, standing in front of Nelson, had once tried to get rid of. Carl, cast in 1633, looks at Whitehall - where in 1649 he had his own penalty. Bronze is the King of the Republicans have sold craftsman - to melt. Instead, the master of a statue buried in the garden, beating softly on the monarch pieces of bronze, together a small fortune on souvenirs. After the Restoration, the statue was re-sold to Charles II and is set on the very spot where the executioners executed Charles I.

Tower Bridge Tower Bridge was built in 1894 in the Gothic style. Its construction has been spent over 1 million pounds, and since his divorce about 1 million times to skip the crust Bley. People were allowed to visit the bridge since On the bridge are the engine room with hydraulic equipment, preserved after the electrification of 1976., The control room of the exhibition. Visitors can go to the other side of the footpath between the two towers, Docks St. Catherine, located an area of 23 ARKOV between Tower and the London docks attract visitors with its collection of historic ships, Dickens Inn hotel, new shops and a harbor for yachts. "Belfast", a powerful British cruiser during the Second World War, moored river. Already in the 20-ies of the XIX century. Docks were filled with foreign merchant ships with ivory, marble, wool, rubber, tea and wine, but because larger ships were moored at the mouth of the river, docks and warehouses were collapsed. Today there are flourishing World Trade Center and the Hotel Tower Thistly. Tower Bridge was built in 1894 in the Gothic style. Its construction has been spent over 1 million pounds, and since his divorce about 1 million times to skip the crust Bley. People were allowed to visit the bridge since On the bridge are the engine room with hydraulic equipment, preserved after the electrification of 1976., The control room of the exhibition. Visitors can go to the other side of the footpath between the two towers, Docks St. Catherine, located an area of 23 ARKOV between Tower and the London docks attract visitors with its collection of historic ships, Dickens Inn hotel, new shops and a harbor for yachts. "Belfast", a powerful British cruiser during the Second World War, moored river. Already in the 20-ies of the XIX century. Docks were filled with foreign merchant ships with ivory, marble, wool, rubber, tea and wine, but because larger ships were moored at the mouth of the river, docks and warehouses were collapsed. Today there are flourishing World Trade Center and the Hotel Tower Thistly.

Big Ben These clocks on the tower of the Parliament of the United Kingdom can hear around the world. Microphones Radio, Air Force fight to pass every hour. It is the first stroke of Big Ben on the night of 31 to 1 on the planet is officially international interim standard should enter the new millennium. In Big Ben tourists are not allowed to get on top of 96 meter tower can only by a narrow spiral staircase. 334 steps lead to a small open space in the center of which is the legendary bell. Big Ben and there is only one bell. Its height is whiter than 2 meters and a diameter equal to nearly 3 meters. The name Big Ben is surrounded by interesting stories. The official version: the bell is named after the chief of construction sulfur Benjamin Hola. For his impressive size foreman nicknamed Big Ben. Another version - the bell got its name from the strongman and boxer since Queen Victoria. Big Ben Big Ben and its surrounding other small bells ringing knock out the following words: "Through this time of the Lord keeps me, and his strength will not allow anyone to stumble 'After the battle, chimes the first blow of the hammer on Big Ben coincides exactly with the first second of the hour. Every 2 days mechanism are carefully screened and grease, recorded daily temperature and pressure. But, like any clockwork, the clock on the tower of the British Parliament are sometimes late or in a hurry. I must say that the error is not the most 1,5 - 2 seconds. To remedy the situation need only a coin, an old English penny. Nobody knows exactly who first had the idea to use the coins, but the idea worked. Old English penny, placed on the pendulum Dina 4 meters accelerates its movement to 2.5 seconds per day. Adding or removing the penny, the superintendent thus achieves accuracy. Mechanism, despite its nearly 1.5 centuries of history and weight of 5 tons, works perfectly. Dials of Big Ben look at all 4 sides of the world. They were made out of Birmingham opal, clockwise from cast iron, and minute are made of copper sheet. It is estimated that the minute hands are held for a year, a total distance of 190 km.