London

LondonLondonis one of the largest cities in the world. More then 10mln people live inLondon and its suburbs. London is a city of striking contrasts.Here one cancome across the past and the present, the old and the modern, live side by sidein mutual tolerance and respect.In London, one can see architecture ofdifferent centuries and styles. It is inseparably connected with the history ofthe city. The Romans, the Saxons and the Danes settled here in turn, after themcame the Normans, and brought the French civilisation.

London survived thePlague and the Great Fire, which followed in 1666. During the Fire all woodenhouses were smashed to the ground and a New London, London of stone with biggerhouses and wider streets was built. During the World War II, many buildings ofgreat historic value lay in ruins and today the face of London is changed.Traditionally London is divided intoseveral parts the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.The city first started in the place, whichis known as the City. It is the Heart of London, it s commercial and businesscentre.

It occupies a territory of a square mile. During a day, it is full ofpeople, nearly half a million people work there.The West End is the richest part of thecity with its beautiful avenues, parks and gardens, grandhotels, theatres andfashionable shops.It is a symbol of wealth and luxury.While the City is the money of London andthe West End is the good of London, the East End is the hands of London, thatbuilt the banks of the City and beautiful mansions and hotels of the West End.It is a district, inhabited by the workers.

There are many factories and thePort of London there.As forme, I cannot imagine London without Thames. In fact, painters and writersregard the river as the source of inspiration. Turner, Monet, Canatello paintedit countless times and their impression of the river in all seasons can be seenon the walls of museums, throughout the world.Pope, Spensor and many otherpoets sang it in their poems.

The most famous books about the Thames are Threemen in a boat by Jerome-k-Jerome and The wind in the willows by K. Graham.If there had been no Thames, there would be no London. It was born manycenturies ago in the place, which is known as the City. The City is not onlythe centre of business. It s the burth place of London.London was born in theplace not far from St. Paul s cathedral hundreds of years before our era. Itwas called Lynn-din the lonely port at that time. After the Norman Conquest,it became Londinium.If youwant to get some glimpses of London, you d better start sightseeing with theTower of London, that comes first among the historic buildings of the city. Itwas built as the fortress after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. It hasbeen used as the Royal Palace, as an observatory, an arsenal and a prison. Formany visitors the principal attraction is the Crown Jewels, the finest preciousstones of the nation.A twentyminutes walk from the Tower will take you to another historic building St.Paul s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches.

It was built by a famousEnglish architect Sir Christopher Wren. St. Paul s Cathedral, with it s famousWhispering Gallery, is considered to be a masterpiece of Renaissancearchitecture.

In one of its towers hangs one of the largest bells in the world Great Paul.Not farfrom Cathedral is Westminster Abbey. It was founded by Edward the Confessor in1050. The best part of the Abbey is a wonderful chapel, dating back to the 16thcentury.

It is famous for its magnificent architecture. There are many monumentsand statues there. Many English kings and queens are buried there. SinceWilliam the 1st, almost ever monarch has been crowned in this greatchurch. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is oaken Coronation Chairmade in 1300. On the south side of Westminster Abbey is Poet s Corner, wherethe greatest English writers are buried.Here also are memorials toShakespeare, Burns, Byron, Scott and so on.Acrossthe road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, which is spreadmagnificently on the north bank of the Thames.

It is a remarkable example ofGothic architecture.