The Historical Sights of London

Размещено на http://www.allbest.ru/

МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ И НАУКИ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ ПЕНЗЕНСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ

Кафедра «Перевод и переводоведение»

Курсовая работа

по дисциплине «History and culture of the countries studied language»

на тему «The Historical Sights of London»

Выполнил студент: Халилеева А.А.

Группа: 15ИЛ1

Руководитель: к. п. н., доцент Хайрова Х. Ж.

2016

Contents

Introduction

1. Big Ben

2. Buckingham Palace

3. Tower Bridge

4. St. Paul's Cathedral

5. Tower of London

6. Covent Garden

7. Trafalgar Square

8. Westminster Abbey

9. Piccadilly Circus

Conclusion

References

Appendix

Introduction

London is the capital of Great Britain, the largest city of the European Union and one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. The city stands on the River Thames and has been founded by the Romans. Its original name was Londinium. Today, it's a global city which attracts people from all over the world with its strengths in arts, education, finance, media and, of course, tourism. The city is also known for its national and cultural diversity. More than 300 languages are spoken there. It is noteworthy that London contains four World Heritage Sites, including the Tower of London, Greenwich, Kew Gardens and the Palace of Westminster with its abbey and church. Other remarkable sights include the London Eye ferris wheel, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column, West End theatres, London Aquarium and many other worth visiting places. It is obvious that people of any profession, hobby or interest will find what to see or what to do in London. The city offers a variety of places of natural, cultural and historical significance, as well as leisure and amusement activities.

1. Big Ben

Saint Stephen's Tower

The Big Ben Clock, is actually a misnomer; it is the bell inside structure that is named Big Ben. What many people call Big Ben Clock Tower was actually named the Clock Tower or Saint Stephens Tower. Nonetheless, most people know the entire structure as Big Ben in London. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II's 60 year reign as Queen, the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 (app. 1). Famous around the world for keeping impeccable time, the Big Ben Clock became fully operational on September 7, 1859. Ben Ben in London is used to ring in the city's New Year and is a rallying point for the New Year's celebration of the entire country of England. The BBC also broadcasts the chiming of the bells on Remembrance Day to mark the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, which was the time and date of the Armistice that ended World War I. A famous symbol of Parliament and all things English throughout the world, the Big Ben Clock Tower is visible from many locations in London and just about all visitors return_home_with_at_least_one_photograph_of_the_landmark. As stated, Big Ben in London refers to the bell housed within the tower. The bell itself weighs almost 14 tons, and probably takes its name from the man who first ordered it cast, Sir Benjamin Hall. The four faces of the Big Ben Clock are each 23 feet in diameter, and the clock was biggest of its kind when it was constructed. It remains the largest clock in Great Britain. The hour hands are nine feet long, and the minute hands are 14 feet long. The entire tower is 316 feet high. Certain pieces of the clock face have been designed for easy removal, to allow for cleaning and maintenance of the hands. Remarkably durable, the clock continued to chime and to run accurately during World War II - even after Parliament was nearly destroyed by the bombs of the Blitz. At the base of each clock face of Big Ben in London is a Latin inscription meaning, "Lord save our Queen Victoria I," since the Big Ben Clock Tower and the adjoining Westminster Palace were constructed during that Queen's reign. Today, the Palace of Westminster houses British Parliament sessions, and tourists can even view a session of Parliament for free. Over the years, Big Ben history has also come to include the changing of the tower itself. Due to ground conditions, the Big Ben Clock Tower now leans slightly to the Northwest, and also moves back and forth by a few millimeters each year. Though the clock has experienced slowing at various times through its history, the clock's legendary accuracy is maintained by placing pennies on the pendulum. The engineering of the clock is such that the actual mechanisms of the clock itself are well protected from climate changes and harsh weather. UK citizens can climb the tower (all 334 steps) only by having advance reservations arranged by their Member of Parliament. Non UK citizens are only allowed to visit the Houses of Parliament - not climb the tower. The very best views of the Big Ben Clock Tower are from a boat on a Thames River cruise or from atop the London Eye Millennium Wheel across the river.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BIG BEN:

1. Its diameter is 25 ft.; hour hand is 9 ft. and the minute hand is 14 ft.

2. Age of Big Ben is 151 Years.

3. Reliability is one of its key features as it has rarely failed or stopped due to any technical or any other problem. The clock kept on tinkling during World War II even when the House of Commons was destroyed.

4. The Clock was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison with a remarkable accuracy.

5. According to some engineers the tower is leaning but it can't be seen with naked eyes.

6. The main bell in the tower is also known as great bell; its nickname is Big Ben. The original bell weight was 16.25 tones

7. On the 31st of May in 1859 was the first day when Big Ben chimed.

8. A golden inspiration is written in Latin at the base of each dial. The inspiration is “DOMAINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRUM VICTORIAM PRIMAM” its meaning in English is “O LORD SAFE OUR QUEEN VICTORIA THE FIRST”.

9. After every 15 minutes it chimes and sound is heard up to 5 miles.

10. A union flag flies from the Victoria tower when parliament is in session.

11. Every year the time of the clock is adjusted with the help of an old British penny. A penny is added to the pendulum if the clock is fast and one is removed if the clock is slow.

12. Big Ben has gone through different problems for very first day when the decision was taken to build it. Budget issues or delays in delivery and even minute hand were changed twice as it was too heavy to move around the clock face.

2. Buckingham Palace

historical sights london

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the sovereign, one of the most iconic images of London, and a fantastic day out. Whether you just come to see this famous landmark from outside, or you buy tickets to go inside and marvel at the opulent state rooms, a visit to Buckingham Palace is something you will never forget (app. 2).

History The History of the Palace begins in 1702 when the Duke of Buckingham had it built as his London home. The Duke's son sold the house in 1761 to George III, it was renamed "Queen's House" in 1774 as Queen Charlotte resided there.

When it passed to George IV in 1820, Nash was commissioned to make alterations to the palace. The main block was retained but a new suite of rooms was added facing west into the garden, doubling the size of the building. The French Neo Classical style was the influence for the design. The re-modelled state rooms remain unchanged from Nash's original design. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to take up residence in 1837. Once again, extensive changes took place, one of these was to have the huge arched gateway removed to Tyburn, where it remains, known as Marble Arch.

Today Buckingham Palace is used not only as the home of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, but also for the administrative work for the monarchy. It is here in the state apartments that Her Majesty receives and entertains guests invited to the Palace. Buckingham Palace was first opened to the public in 1993.

What's inside Buckingham Palace? A lot more than meets the eye - far more than the 19 state rooms you can see if you take one of the tours. There are 775 rooms in the Palace. 19 of these are the main State Rooms that are open to the public during August and September each year. There are also 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms_and_92_offices! There's more than 77,000 square metres of floor area - by comparison the average new-build UK home has a floor area of just 76 square metres (though this includes houses and flats, and our new homes are the smallest in Europe) - but Buckingham Palace is roughly 1,000 times that size. How many windows in Buckingham Palace? An amazing 760! There are also more than 1,500 doors! That's a lot of windows to clean and hinges to oil - the windows are cleaned every 6 weeks. There are also more than 40,000 light bulbs. The Palace also contains a swimming pool, a chapel, a doctor's surgery and even_a_post_office. There are more than 350 clocks and watches - and two full time members of staff to wind them and keep the collection in good working order.

The largest single room is The Ballroom, at 36 metres by 18 metres, and 13.5 metres high. Of course, the Queen doesn't have all this space to herself: More than 800 members of staff work in Buckingham Palace, and over 50,000 people visit the Palace every year as guests of the Queen, at receptions, garden parties and other official functions. That doesn't include the members of the public who visit the state rooms when they are open each summer. Buckingham Palace is now going green, with a CHP (combined heat and power) system to cut energy use, as well as double glazed skylights, and some LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption. State Rooms Your visit to Buckingham Palace will include a tour of the nineteen magnificent state rooms, used by the Queen to receive the most important heads of state from around the globe. These are every bit as magnificent as you might expect - lavishly appointed with some of the finest antique furniture and fine art to be found anywhere in the world, including paintings by Rembrandt, and sculpture by Canova.

On the original site of the old entrance hall, sits the Grand Hall in which you will see the aptly named Grand Staircase with its ornate floral balustrade of gilt-bronze.

Walking through the Guard Room, you will pass exceptional Gobelin tapestries on the walls. In the Green Drawing Room, the walls are covered with vibrantly coloured silk, which compliments the gilded and coved ceiling perfectly. Queen Charlotte's_salon_was_on_this_site. The Throne Room is a splendid sight - a magnificent spectacle of scarlet and gold. As its centrepiece are the chairs used at the coronation of Her Majesty The Queen in 1953. The Ballroom which is 122 feet long, was opened in Queen Victoria's reign in 1856 to celebrate the end of the Crimean war.

3. Tower_Bridge

The Tower Bridge is located in above the River Thames, London. On June 30th, 1894, the Tower bridge was opened by King Edward VII. The design of the Tower Bridge was done by Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry, the bridge was constructed in the year 1894. The Tower Bridge contains two massive towers which are linked together. The bridge stands at a height of 60 meters and the height of each tower is about 43 meters. The middle part of the bridge can be lifted up when huge ships pass through that way. In the past, the bridge was lifted nearly 50 times per day. Initially, the Tower Bridge was constructed as a level crossing over the River Thames, as the population of London grew, new bridges were constructed. But among all the bridges in London, Tower Bridge is the only one of its kinds. During the construction of the bridge, almost 50 designs were taken into consideration, these 50 designs can be viewed at Tower Bridge Exhibition. Finally, John Wolfe Barry and Horace Jones (architects) designs were chosen. Eight years were involved in the construction of the bridge, about 430 laborers and five contractors took part in the construction. Two enormous pillars were downcast deep into the Thames River and 11,000 tons of steel are used in building the walkways and towers. The towers are then built with Portland stone and granite. The construction of the bridge pictures can be viewed in the Tower Bridge Exhibition. The Tower Bridge is operated by hydraulic methods. Over six massive accumulators are used in the operation of the bridge. These machines use steam to generate power and the power is fed to the accumulators. Using this energy, the bridge bascules are lifted up to a height of about 86 degrees. But from the year 1976, electricity and oil were used in place of steam. In addition, the bridge also uses navigation system for the signaling of ships and to control the traffic.

History & Facts

* In the year 1910, the walkways for the public have been designed.

* In the year 1912, Frank MacLean, a pilot has flied in the center of the bascules.

* In the year 1952, a bus jumped over the other bascule during the rising of the bridge.

* In the year 1977, the bridge was painted in several colors.

* In the year 1982, Tower Bridge Exhibition was opened.

* In the year 1993, the Centenary exhibition was opened at the Tower Bridge.

* In the year 1994, the bridge was available for events and parties.

* In the year 2002, the Tower Bridge Exhibition was reopened.

* In the year 2007, the Tower Bridge Exhibition celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The Tower Bridge exhibition is a special attraction, where the designs, construction and the operating of the bridge can be viewed. The Tower Bridge is a great tourist destination and one of the mostly visited spots in the world. In the present days, the Tower Bridge is closed for some repairs, but it is open on certain days.

4. St._Paul's_Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral, seat of the Bishop of London and "parish church of the British Commonwealth", is the largest and most famous of London's many churches. Located on the site of a Roman temple, the present structure was built after the original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the resulting masterpiece is today one of Britain's most recognizable landmarks. Wren's version of St Paul's was begun in 1675 and completed in 1711, approved only after long wrangling with the church commissioners who turned down his first two designs. The result was a compromise between Wren's original idea of a dome and the commissioners' preference for a plan in the form of a cross (app. 4). As finally built, however, St Paul's is Wren's masterpiece and a Renaissance church of spectacular dimensions: 515 ft long and 227 ft wide across the transepts, with two 212 ft high towers and a magnificent 365 ft dome. Since the repair of damage suffered by the cathedral during WWII and the cleaning of the facade to remove 250 years of accumulated grime, St Paul's has been restored to its original majestic_beauty. Room for Great Views: The Magnificent Cathedral Dome No visit to St Paul's would be complete without scaling the interior of the Dome. All told, you'll face 528 steps to the top - a height of nearly 365 ft. One of the largest such structures in the world, St Paul's dome weighs almost 65,000 tons and consists of a unique three-dome structure including a decorated interior dome, a middle dome built of brick (and largely unseen) for strength and support, and the exterior dome. Stunning 360-degree views are available from the exterior platforms accessible from both the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery. Quiet, Please: The Whispering Gallery There are 259 steps leading up to the spectacular Whispering Gallery which runs round the dome at a height of 100 ft. So-called because of its remarkable acoustic properties, it's possible to hear a whisper from across the dome's total width of 112 ft. From here visitors can see Thornhill's paintings up close and gain a breathtaking impression of the size and proportions of the Nave far below. From the Whispering Gallery a further 117 steps lead up to the Stone Gallery round the outside of the dome, and a further 166 steps above this is the Golden Gallery. The Nave It's from the Nave - the long main section you walk along after entering the cathedral - that visitors get their first breathtaking glimpse of the interior of the Dome. Both a ceremonial and public space, it's where you'll see the huge Great West Door (it's 30 ft tall), as well as the eight scenes from the life of St Paul painted by Thornhill. In the north aisle stands an imposing monument to the Duke of Wellington, as well as two groups of statues representing valor and cowardice, truth_and_falsehood. The Chapels St Paul's is home to a number of interesting chapels, most of them accessible from the Nave. All Souls' Chapel is a memorial chapel dedicated to Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, while adjoining St Dunstan's Chapel (reserved for private prayer) has a 17th century oak screen and a mosaic by Salviati. Other chapels of note include one dedicated to St Michael and St George, the Middlesex Chapel, and the American Memorial Chapel commemorating the 28,000 Americans killed while travelling to (or stationed in) Britain during WWII. Two others are located in the Crypt: the Knights Bachelor Chapel and the OBE Chapel. The Quire (Choir) In addition to its choir stalls by Grinling Gibbons - of particular interest due to their fine oblong panels with carved foliage ornaments in pear wood - the choir boasts a magnificent high altar built based on sketches by Wren. In the south choir aisle are the Lady Chapel and a statue of poet John Donne, the only monument from Old St Paul's to survive the Great Fire. The Crypt The vast crypt contains the tombs of many notable figures, including the painters Constable, Turner and Reynolds. Under the south aisle lies the simple tombstone of Sir Christopher Wren, as well as the tombs of two of England's greatest heroes, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson (the latter's coffin was made from the mast of the French flagship L'Orient). Oculus: An Eye into St Paul's A must-see while visiting St Paul's is Oculus, a fascinating 270-degree film experience outlining the cathedral's 1,400 years of history. Also on show in the theater in the crypt are Resurgam: I Will Rise Again, a short film showing the devastation caused by the Great Fire and the Blitz; Virtual Access: The Dome, a short film featuring the cathedral's magnificent domes; and Virtual Access: The Great Model, a birds-eye view of Wren's famous model of St Paul's. The Exterior Exterior features of interest include the 180 ft long West Front with its main entrance and columned portico surmounted by an upper colonnade, as well as the statue of St Paul above the pediment and the two flanking statues of Saints James and Peter. On either side of the portico are two Baroque towers - the West Towers - one of which houses a peal of 12 bells, the other the largest bell in England, Great Paul, which weighs almost 17 tons and was cast in 1882. The bells are rung together on Sundays at 9:45-10:15am, 11-11:30am, and 2:40-3:15pm. The Cathedral Collections The Cathedral Library houses St Paul's superb collection of more than 21,000 books and manuscripts dating from 1690. As it's name suggests, the Object Collection contains numerous artifacts associated with the history of St Paul's and includes models, paintings and archaeological findings, while the Architectural Archive contains papers and drawings charting the building's design and construction.

5. Tower of London

Founded nearly a millennium ago, The Tower of London has been expanded upon over the centuries by many a king and queen. The first foundations were laid in 1078 and the castle has been constantly improved and extended. (app. 5) The Tower of London is the oldest palace, fortress and prison in Europe. History has it that King Edward of England backed down on his promise to give the throne to William, Duke of Normandy and ended up giving the throne to Harold Godwinson, his English brother in law. William, quite angry, sent his army across the English Channel to conquer England and on October 14, 1066 he met Harold at Hastings. The Duke's Norman warriors won the battle, and later that year on Christmas day Wiiliam was crowned king. William decided he needed a stronghold to keep the unruly citizens of London in line. The site upon which William chose to build his fortress was the very same site upon which Claudius, the Roman Emperor, had built a fortress more than a thousand years before that and traces of the Roman wall are still seen within the Tower grounds. The addition of other smaller towers, extra buildings, walls and walkways, gradually transformed the original building into the splendid example of castle, fortress, prison, palace and finally museum that we enjoy today. The Tower began its life as a simple timber and stone enclosure. The original structure was completed by the addition of a ditch and palisade along the north and west sides. This enclosure then received a structure of stone, which came to be called The Great Tower and eventually The White Tower, as we know it today. Around the year 1240 King Henry III made the Tower of London his home. He whitewashed the tower, widened the grounds to include a church, and added a great hall and other buildings. The Normans called the tower 'La Tour Blanche' [White tower]. The White Tower formed the basis of a residential palace and fortress suited for a king or queen. As history has shown to its occupants, the Tower of London became the perfect all-purpose complex. The Tower of London has been used as a fortress to protect a prison, used to imprison (for many an accused, it was the last sight they saw on earth), as a home for kings and queens, and as a royal mint and treasury. Originally, the caps at the top of the four turrets were conical, but were replaced by the present onion-shaped ones in the sixteenth century. It was Henry III that renamed the entire area the Tower of London to White Tower. Although he used it as a prison, he continued to use it as a palace and entertained guests and many came with gifts of animals. These gifts were kept near the drawbridge where he built Lion Tower; a zoo where visitors would be greeted by roaring beasts. Today it houses the Crown Jewels and is keeper to the Royal Ravens. The ravens are flightless birds due to the fact their wings are clipped and this tradition points to the superstition that the English still believe dating back from time of Charles II that when there are no longer ravens in the Tower both the White Tower and the Commonwealth of England would fall. The Tower was a dynamic and changing project for the kings of England, king after king built upon the Tower adding walls and smaller towers (thirteen inner and six outer) and finally encircling it was a moat whose water was delivered by the Thames River. Today the official title of the Tower is still 'Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London' although there isn't actually a Tower of London. It is not quite known when the name was first used but through the ages Tower of London has become the accepted term of description for the entire complex.

6. Covent Garden

This theatrical area is located in the borough of Westminster and is inside the congestion charging zone. There are so many benefits of staying in Covent Garden, including the number of things to see and do, and also the fact that it is surrounded by other famous districts that include Soho, Fitzrovia, Holborn and Bloomsbury. As well as all this, Covent Garden also sits in tube zone 1 with Covent Garden acting as the main tube station for the area, providing a swift route around the capital. With so much on offer, Covent Garden truly is one of the most exciting places to stay in London_(app._6) . History of Covent Garden Covent Garden's history is as long as it is fascinating, stemming right back to Roman times as found in recent archaeological digs. The area was given the name Convent Garden in the 13th Century, due to its link with Convent of St Peter, and was used mainly to provide fruit and vegetables to all parts of London. Covent Garden was redeveloped and renamed in the early 17th Century by the 4th Earl of Bedford and was designed by Inigo Jones. The piazza was the main focal point of the district then, as it is today. St Paul's Church stood to the Western Centre of the piazza and the famous market was housed slap bang in the middle. As well as the market trade, Covent Garden has also always been synonymous with the theatre. Since the late 17th Century the theatre has played a prominent role in the popularity and development of the area, and still continues to do so today. As well as the theatre, opera and ballet have been mainstays of the area, both historically and in the modern day. The Royal Opera House was opened in the 19th Century and still continues to delight. Similarly, the English National Opera can also be traced back to the turn of the 20th Century and continues to be a popular attraction today. All in all, the history of Covent Garden has shaped not only its present but most likely its future too, and it really is one place in London you can't afford to miss! The Positives of Covent Garden There are so many positive things about Covent Garden, all of which are just waiting for you to discover for yourself! The district is most famous for its market, shopping and entertainment, and you'll always find yourself with something to do. In the evening you could head for the Royal Opera House or English National Opera, and in the daytime indulge your retail habits in the many shops in the area. Another great thing about the area are the street performers, who you'll find entertaining the crowds on the West Piazza and in Covent Garden Market. The market itself is one of the great features of the area, and is somewhere you will definitely want to visit. Not only is there plenty to do and see in Covent Garden itself, you'll be surrounded by Theatreland and you'll also be conveniently close to the rest of the West End, including the bright lights of Leicester Square. Need to Know Covent Garden The positive aspects of Covent Garden far outweigh any negatives, but there are a few things you should know about. As the district is renowned for its many shops, a large number of designer stores have come into the area, meaning prices can be at a premium. However, this does guarantee that you'll find the latest trends and fashions, and in contrast to the designer outlets there are plenty of unique and affordable shops and boutiques located all over Covent Garden. There is a lot of road traffic in the area, but not as much as some Central London districts. To be honest though, it's a bit pointless driving around Covent Garden when you can walk, or hop on the tube, to numerous attractions and other London districts. The area is one of the most popular places in London and if you're expecting a quiet, crowd free environment this is not the place to be. After all, it is the crowds and the hustle and bustle that truly make the area what it is; lively and entertaining.

7. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is the most famous square in London, England. Featuring statues at all four square corners, it was originally constructed to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar which was a victory in the war against Napoleon. Home to Nelson's Column and a host of other historic monument, Trafalgar Square is located in the city of London (app._7). One of the most prominent structures at Trafalgar Square in London is Nelson's Column. Nelson's column was erected in 1843 and commemorates the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The statue is 18 feet tall, and rests atop a column that rises 183 feet above Trafalgar Square in London. The statue of Nelson faces south toward Westminster Palace. Nelson was a much loved military hero in his day. The square itself is surrounded by roads on all sides, although traffic in recent years has been reduced in the interest of pedestrian safety. Trafalgar Square in London also has a number of interested structures. Four bronze lions made from recycled cannons from the French fleet can be found in the center of the square near Nelson"s column. Each corner of the square has a place for a statue, though only three actually contain statues. Over the years, the history of Trafalgar Square has brought with it additional statues and works of art. The original Trafalgar Square Fountain that was first added in 1845 was remolded in 1939 by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Trafalgar Square Fountain features mermen and mermaids along side dolphins, all sculpted in bronze. Trafalgar Square Fountain is actually a set of two fountains. The history of Trafalgar Square may reflect its lovely statue work, but another more natural feature is also part of Trafalgar Square in London. The area is famous for its collection of pigeons, and tourist both famous and common spend time feeding the pigeons of Trafalgar Square. A well known photograph of Elizabeth Taylor from 1948 features Elizabeth posing in Trafalgar Square feeding pigeons. Another popular attraction in the square is the South Africa House, which currently serves as the embassy for South Africa to Britain. This change took place in 1961, when South Africa became a republic and it was no longer a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Until the disruption of the practice of Apartheid in South Africa, the South Africa House was a controversial location. Although the South Africa House no longer carries its controversial spirit, Trafalgar Square today is still the site of many political demonstrations. Demonstrators are known to gather around the base of Nelson's column. The square is also an appealing spot for New Year's Eve revelers who wish to dive into the Trafalgar Square Fountain while much of the world watches on TV. Whether you choose to take a dip in the famous fountain or enjoy Trafalgar Square in London in a tamer manner, the history and beauty of the square is sure to add much to any trip to England. Full of the spirit of a nation, this is a popular tourist attraction. Best of all - it's free.

8. Westminster Abbey

The Collegiate Church of St Peter

Westminster Abbey is a large church in the city of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. Famous for its monarchical connotations, it has been the venue for British coronations for centuries. Formal Title Although commonly known as Westminster Abbey, its formal title is the `Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster'. Initially known as St. Peter's Abbey, its association with the saint is likely to have arisen from the legend of a young fisherman who is said to have seen a vision of St. Peter on or near the site. Location Situated to the west of the Palace of Westminster, the site used to be an ait on the River Thames called Thorney Island. The surrounding marshy areas have since been reclaimed via a civil engineering project of the 19th century that created the Thames Embankment, and thus the island is now integrated with the mainland. Previous Churches It was documented in the 11th century that there had been a church on the site from as early as the 7th century, at the time when Mellitus had been Bishop of London at St. Paul's Cathedral. This relies solely on the reports of the Benedictine monk, Sulcard, who was based at the abbey from around 1050 and wrote its first history. The first verified use of the site was when the community of Benedictine monks were installed at the abbey in the latter half of the 10th century. The rebuilding of St. Peter's Abbey, as it was then known, commenced in the mid-11th century under the orders of King Edward the Confessor. This construction was in a Norman Romanesque architectural style and was completed in approximately 1090, although it was consecrated in 1065. The king did not live to see the completed structure, and was buried in the church in 1066. The only depiction of King Edward's church is in the Bayeux Tapestry, which is displayed in Normandy, France, while its full-size replica can be viewed in Reading, United Kingdom. The Present Building The Westminster Abbey that can be seen today was constructed between 1245 and 1517 in a predominantly Gothic architectural style. It was commissioned by King Henry III as a shrine in memory of King Edward the Confessor, and was also to provide King Henry's tomb, which he wanted to be positioned under the highest nave in the country. After his death in 1272, King Henry was buried according to his wishes in front of the High Altar, in the former resting place of his idol, King Edward the Confessor. His body was subsequently moved to a grander tomb in the abbey in 1290, where it remains today. The `Lady Chapel' was added under the reign of King Henry VII between 1503 and 1519, and the two distinctive towers on the west side of the building were constructed in the 18th century, being completed in 1745. No further additions to the structure were undertaken after this time, although a narthex ? entrance area was planned during the mid-12th century and never materialized. A Brief Cathedral Under the reign of King Henry VIII, the English Reformation was introduced, creating the Church of England as a separate body to the Roman Catholic Church. King Henry VIII initiated the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the abolition of the Chantries Acts, which meant that all religious property was allocated to the Crown. Under the new legislation, most abbeys faced dissolution and destruction, a fate met by many churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral. As the king wished to save Westminster Abbey, he granted it the status of cathedral in 1540. His reasons for saving the abbey are not known, but it is possible that he held some affection for it as it was the location of his coronation in 1509 and his marriage to Anne Boleyn in 1533. The Diocese of Westminster was dissolved in 1550, although the abbey was still recognized as a cathedral until 1556. Coronations The successor of King Edward the Confessor, King Harold II, was likely to have been the first coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1066, but the first documented coronation was that of King William I, more commonly known as William the Conqueror,_later_in_1066. Since then, almost all British coronations have taken place at Westminster Abbey, totaling 39. The most recent was that of reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in_1953. Royal Weddings 17 royal weddings have been held at Westminster Abbey, with the marriage of Prince William of Wales to Miss Catherine Middleton being the most recent, having_taken_place_in_2011. The Church (app._8) The abbey's nave is England's highest. In the nave you find the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, a World War I soldier who died on the battlefields in France and was buried here in French soil. Nearby is a marble memorial stone for Winston Churchill. His body is not, like many fellow prime ministers, buried in the abbey, but in Bladon. The Cloister The Cloister was originally built in the thirteenth century. It was completely rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 1298. The cloister was used by the Benedictine monks for meditation and exercise. Chapter House The beautiful octagonal Chapter House is one of the largest of its kind in England. It has an original tile floor dating from 1250 and its walls are decorated with fourteenth-century murals. Henry VII Chapel The Henry VII Chapel (aka Lady Chapel), built 1503-1512, is one of the most outstanding chapels of its time, with a magnificent vault. The chapel has a large stained glass window, the Battle of Britain memorial window. The window, which dates from 1947 and replaces an original window that was damaged during World War II, commemorates fighter pilots and crew who died during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

9. Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a famous road junction and public space of London's West End in the , built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly. In this context a circus, from the Latin word meaning a circle, is a circular open space at a street junction. It now links directly to the theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue as well as the Haymarket, Coventry Street (onwards to Leicester Square), and Glasshouse Street. The Circus is close to major shopping and entertainment areas in the heart of the West End. Its status as a major traffic-intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting place and a tourist attraction in its own right. The Circus is particularly known for its video display and neon signs mounted on the corner building on the northern side, as well as the Shaftesbury memorial fountain and statue of an archer popularly known as Eros (sometimes called The Angel of Christian Charity, but intended to be Anteros). It is surrounded by several noted buildings, including the London Pavilion and Criterion Theatre. Directly underneath the plaza is Piccadilly Circus London Underground station. History Piccadilly Circus connects to Piccadilly, a thoroughfare whose name first appeared in 1626 as Pickadilly Hall, named after a house belonging to one Robert Baker, a tailor famous for selling piccadills or piccadillies, a term used for various kinds of collars. The street was known as Portugal Street in 1692 in honour of Catherine of Braganza, the queen consort of King Charles II of England, but was known as Piccadilly by 1743. Piccadilly Circus was created in 1819, at the junction with Regent Street, which was then being built under the planning of John Nash on the site of a house and garden belonging to a Lady Hutton. The circus lost its circular form in 1886 with the construction of Shaftesbury Avenue. The junction has been a very busy traffic interchange since construction, as it lies at the centre of Theatreland and handles exit traffic from Piccadilly, which Charles Dickens, Jr (Charles C. B. Dickens, son of Charles Dickens) described thusly in 1879: "Piccadilly, the great thoroughfare leading from the Haymarket and Regent-street westward to Hyde Park-corner, is the nearest approach to the Parisian boulevard of which London can boast." The Piccadilly Circus tube station was opened March 10, 1906 on the Bakerloo Line, and on the Piccadilly Line in December of that year. In 1928, the station was extensively rebuilt to handle an increase in traffic. The intersection's first electric advertisements appeared in 1910, and from 1923 electric billboards were set up on the facade of the London Pavilion. Traffic lights were first installed in August 3, 1926 at the junction. At the start of the 1960s, it was determined that the Circus needed to be redeveloped to allow for greater traffic flow. In 1962, Lord Holford presented a plan which would have created a "double-decker" Piccadilly Circus, with a new pedestrian concourse above the ground-level traffic. This concept was kept alive throughout the rest of 1960s, before eventually being killed off by Sir Keith Joseph and Ernest Marples in 1972; the key reason given was that Holford's scheme only allowed for a 20% increase in traffic, and the Government required 50%. The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus was erected in 1893, to commemorate the philanthropic works of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. During the Second World War, the statue atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain was removed, and was replaced by advertising hoardings. It was returned in 1948. When the Circus underwent reconstruction work in the late 1980s, the entire fountain was moved from the centre of the junction at the beginning of Shaftesbury Avenue to its present position at the south-western corner. Location and sights Piccadilly Circus is surrounded by several major tourist attractions, including the Shaftesbury Memorial, Criterion Theatre, London Pavilion and several major retail stores. Numerous nightclubs and bars are located in the area and neighbouring Soho, including the former Chinawhite club. (app. 9) Neon signs Piccadilly Circus used to be surrounded by illuminated advertising hoardings on buildings, starting in the early 1900s,[] but only one building now carries them, the one in the north-western corner between Shaftesbury Avenue and Glasshouse Street. The earliest signs used incandescent light bulbs, these were replaced with neon lamps, as well as moving signs (there was a large Guinness clock at one time). From December 1998 digital projectors were briefly used for the Coke sign, while the early 2000s have seen a gradual move to LED displays. Shaftesbury Memorial and the Statue of Anteros At the south-western side of the Circus, moved after World War II from its original position in the centre, stands the Shaftesbury Monument Memorial Fountain, erected in 1892-1893 to commemorate the philanthropic works of Lord Shaftesbury, who was a famous Victorian politician and philanthropist. The monument is topped by Alfred Gilbert's winged nude statue of an archer, sometimes referred to as The Angel of Christian Charity and popularly known as Eros after the mythical Greek God of Love. The statue has become a London icon: a graphical illustration of it is used as the symbol of the Evening Standard newspaper, and appears on its masthead. The statue was the first in the world to be cast in aluminium and is set on a bronze fountain, which itself inspired the marine motifs that Gilbert carved on the statue.

Conclusion

London is the capital of Great Britain, it's economic, political and cultural center. This is one of the largest cities in the world. The city is very ancient and beautiful. It was founded more than 2000 years ago. Now London is a Paradise for theatre-goers and tourists, but it's a quiet place with beautiful parks, ancient buildings, museums and libraries. If you one day happen to visit London, then you will have something to see and enjoy “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life: for there is in London all that life can afford” -, wrote Samuel Johnson in 1777. Naturally, London is a cultural, scientific, and industrial center of the country, and it means that a lot of interesting things are taking place there all the time.

References

1. Синельникова М.В. Это Лондон. География. История. Культура. Достопримечательности: Книга для чтения на английском языке с вопросами, заданиями и диалогами/ М.В. Синельникова. - СПб.: КОРОНА принт, 2002

2. Ощепкова В.В., Шустилова И.И: «Britain in Brief»

3. http://www.aboutbritain.com

4. http://www.planetware.com

5. http://www.destination360.com

6. http://www.travelstay.com

Appendix

(app._1)

(app._2)

(app._3)

(app._4)

(app._5)

(app._6)

(app._7)

(app._8)

(app._9)

Размещено на Allbest.ru