Sights of London
London is one of the most world’s enjoyable cities. Visited by tourists
in the millions, the city 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.
London survived the Plague, which killed nearly 100 000 people, and
the Great fire which followed. Also the World War 2 brought tremendous
destruction. Many of historical buildings were laid in ruins ant today
the face of London is changed.
London has buildings that 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 fulfil the functions of a modern city. There is always something
new to be discovered, some fresh approach to a familiar scene, some
curious piece of its history to be investigated.
London is a very beautiful city and there are many styles in its architecture,
such as Norman, Gothic, Classical, Victorian, Modern style.
The Norman style is famous for its massive columns and simple decoration.
The example of it is the Tower of London, which is the most ancient
building in London. It was founded in 11th century on the northern part
of the Thames.
Since the times of William the 1st various kings have built and extended
the Tower and used it for many purposes. It has been used as a royal
palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison, and many famous
and infamous people was accused and executed. Now it is a museum.
The ravens whose forefathers used to find food in the Tower still live
here. There is a legend that if the ravens disappear the Tower will
fall. That’s why they are carefully guarded [ga : ded].
The Tower is guarded by the Yeomen Warders [ ‘ joumen’wo:dez], called
“Beefeaters”. Their uniform is as it used to be in Tudor times.
One more sight of London is the Houses of Parliament. This structure
is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. The Clock Tower, which
contains the hour-bell called “Big Ben”, is known the world over.
The Houses of Parliament, called officially the palace of Westminster,
were formerly a palace for monarchs.
Westminster Abbey is a national shrine where the monarchs are crowned
and famous people are buried.
The Abbey is the work of many hands and different ages. It was a monastery
for a long time.
The Chapel of Henry the 7th with its delicate fan-vaulting so wonderfully
sculptured, that seems unreal.
The Abbey is also famous for its stained glass and the oaken Coronation
Chair made in 1300. There is the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – a symbol
of the nation’s grief.
St. Paul’s Cathedral has always dominated the center of London. The
building, completed in the 16th century, is the work of the architect
Sir Christopher Wren.
Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul’s, which is the largest
protestant church in England.
Its high dome, containing the remarkable Whispering Gallery, is a prominent
landmark towering above the multi-storeyed buildings which line the
river-bank.
If I were in London the place which I would firstly visit is the natural
center of the city – Trafalgar Square. It was so named to commemorate
Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The monument in the center,
known as Nelson’s column, is surmounted with a Statue of Nelson 16 feet
high. At the base of the Column are 4 lions.
The Square has now become a huge traffic island. When it is not used
for demonstrations, it’s full of visitors.
On the north side of the square are the National Gallery and the National
Portrait Gallery. But in fact, the National Gallery can be called International,
because there are collections of paintings from British, Italian, French
and other famous schools.
Of course one of the main parts of any city is its transport. The transport
of London includes the Underground (called “the tube”), buses and taxies.
There are some kinds of buses:
— request – a bus will only stop if you put out your arm in good time.
— compulsory – a bus will automatically stop even if it is full.
— Night buses.
London’s famous buses are in all shapes and sizes, many are still red
but some companies buses are in their own colours.
And now I’d like to give some pieces of advice for people who are going
to London.
— change money before you go to London. It will save your time.
— the tube is quicker than the bus, but you don’t see as much!
— Check your change in shop as soon as you are given it
— Don’t take your passport and different valuables with you, because
like every big city London has pickpockets.
— If you haven’t got much money, take your own food, because it can
be expensive.
