London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom one of the largest and one of the world's most enjoyable cities. Visited by tourists in the millions, it 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 and 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

London is more than 20 centuries old. Its buildings 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 fulfill the functions  of a modern city.

The City, the oldest part of London, is the commercial and financial centre of the country. Westminster is the political heart of London, the West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London, the symbol of wealth and luxury, where the most expensive hotels, restaurants, shops and clubs are situated. Here are the historical palaces as well as the famous parks. Hyde park with its Speaker’s Corner is also here. Among other parks are Kensington gardens ( where you can find the statue to peter Pan ) , St James’s Park

The best-known streets here are Whitehall with important government offices, Downing Street, the London residence of Prime Minister and the place where the Cabinet meets, Fleet street where most newspapers have their offices, Harley Street where the highest paid doctors live. The East End is the industrial part. There are many factories, workshops and shipyards there.

London offers the visitors a great variety of places of interest. It's a city of dream to everybody  who is interested in the English history and culture, World famous landmarks are the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's cathedral, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London so on and so forth. The Houses of Parliament, a symbol of London, spread magnificently on the north bank of the Thames. This structure is a remarkable example Gothic architecture. The Clock Tower called “Big Ben», is known the world over. Its hour bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Works. The Houses of Parliament, called officially the Palace of Westminster, were formerly a palace for kings and queens. Until the 16^th century it was used both as a royal residence and as a parliament house. After the royal family moved to Whitehall Palace, the Westminster Palace was occupied by the Parliament and became its permanent home.

Opposite the Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey is situated. It's a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. It was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1050. The construction lasted 300 years. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is the oaken Coronation Chair made in 1300. Near the West Door of the Abbey the Unknown Warrior lies in a simple grave commemorating the men who died in the First World War. The Abbey is also known for its Poets’ Corner. Graves and memorials to many English poets and writers such as  G. G. Byron, R. Burn Shakespeare, W.  W. Scott can be found there.

Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul's Cathedral, the largest Protestant Church in England. It is an architectural masterpieces   of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren It stands on the site of the former Saxon and Norman churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1656.The building was completed in 1710.The interior of the Cathedral is very beautiful, It is full of monuments. After looking around you can climb to the Whispering Gallery, which runs round the dome. It is called so, because if someone whispers close to the wall on one side, a person with his ear close to the wall on the other side can hear what is said. Wren is buried under the roof of his own great work. «If you want to see his monument look around», is written on his tomb. It is the seat of the Bishop of London, and the spiritual centre of the city Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married there in 1981.

Trafalgar Square is a place of pilgrimage for visitors. It's the natural centre of London. It  is usually full of visitors feeding the pigeons and looking at the statues and fountains. In the middle of the square we an see Nelson's Column with the statue of Nelson at the top. This monument was erected to commemorate Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 where he defeated the French and Spanish fleets.  Here in Trafalgar Square the National Gallery is situated. It contains an outstanding collection of paintings from British, Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and other famous schools.

The Tower of London is also a real attraction for tourists. It is one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. William the Conqueror built It  to  protect the City of London. The Tower has ii used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison where many famous people have been executed. It is now a museum where in one can see the Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones       off the nation and a fine collection of armour, exhibited in the Keep. The security of the Tower is ensured  by «Beefeaters» or the Yeoman  Warders who still wear their picturesque Tudor uniform the ravens whose forefathers used to find food in the Tower, still live here as part of its history. There is a legend that if the ravens disappear the tower will fall. that ‘s why the birds   are under the special care ofthe Raven Master who feeds them twice a day. The ravens get a weekly allowance from the Government.