One of the oldest cities in Europe, London was founded during the period of Roman rule in the 1st millennium, and today it is the largest financial and economic center of the world. Many generations of Londoners have miraculously managed to preserve the identity and majestic ancient architecture of the British capital. Let's try to plunge into the enchanting and captivating atmosphere of a beautiful city, and consider the main attractions of London.
1
Buckingham Palace
All the sights of the British capital can be divided into several categories, and begin with a description of the historical monuments of architecture. In the heart of London is a magnificent palace, which today is the residence of Queen Elizabeth II.
The current royal residence, built in the neoclassical style, in 1762 was purchased from the Duke of Buckingham by the monarch George III. It was he who made the beautiful building his residence. Over the entire history of its existence, the palace was rebuilt more than once, and the original Georgian style of the interior was supplemented with new elements.
Today, it is rightfully the main building and a symbol not only of London, but of the whole of Great Britain.
2
Big Ben
The most recognizable landmark in London is mistakenly called "Big Ben". However, this is the name of the largest bell on the clock tower.
The tower was built in 1858, and its height did not reach 100 m. Gothic architectural style gives it monumentality, and the strict "Big Ben" majestically rises above the central quarter of the capital.
Every 15 minutes a bell rings, the sound of which is unique due to a crack that appeared after two years of operation. Opposite the tower in a small square stands a monument to Winston Churchill.
3
Palace of Westminster
Tourists who come to the capital of England, in the first place, rush to visit the most famous sights, which undoubtedly include the majestic Palace of Westminster.
The building, built in the middle of the XIX century, hosts meetings of the British Parliament. The place where the palace was built has been known since the time of the Norman conquests, and the first residence here was built by Knud the Great, who ruled in the XII century.
Nowadays, the building is decorated in neo-Gothic style with monumental towers, and Westminster Hall amazes tourists with its size and spaciousness.
4
Tower of London
The oldest building in the British capital grew on the banks of the Thames in 1066, and throughout its history has repeatedly changed its functional purpose.
He was also a fortress, beyond the walls of which Londoners took refuge during the wars. In peacetime, a magnificent palace, where kings and knights held feasts. There was a time when the high and massive walls of the tower were guarded by royal jewels, and it was also the most famous prison in the British Isles.
Interestingly, the castle in the city center has not changed much since its construction, and its walls, like in the Middle Ages, contain treasures and royal regalia.
5
Tower Bridge
Against the background of this bridge, tourists like to be photographed, and it was built in 1894, and also became a recognizable symbol of the British capital.
Unique in design, a drawbridge is laid between two towers. The length of the bridge is 244 m, and the height of the entire structure is 65 m. The pedestrian part is used as a museum and an observation deck.
One of the engineering features is the ability for pedestrians to cross the river even when the automobile part of the bridge is divorced for passage of ships.
And most-beauty.ru already wrote about other beautiful bridges in one of his articles.
6
St Paul's Cathedral
The main cathedral of the Anglican Church was built on the hill of Ladgate Hill in the late XVII-early XVIII centuries. But it is worth saying that before that, starting from the year 604, churches and cathedrals existed on this site, which were destroyed during the wars and damaged by fires.
The cathedral itself impresses with its magnificent architecture and interior decoration. The huge dome, which rises above the three galleries of the religious building, is striking in its size.
Services are held here and the residence of the bishop is located. In addition, the ashes of famous historical figures of Great Britain rest in the walls of the magnificent cathedral.
7
Westminster Abbey
The most beautiful Gothic church was first mentioned in historical documents under the year 960, but acquired a modern look at the end of the 18th century. The construction took more than 500 years.
On the altar there is a magnificent mosaic “The Last Supper”, and the abbey itself is decorated with decorative elements of the Gothic and neoclassical architectural style.
The facade of the basilica is decorated with stained glass windows and window sockets traditional for the Gothic. This masterpiece of architecture is a World Heritage Site.
8
Whitehall
The streets of London have their own unusual flavor and are literally filled with the atmosphere of conservative antiquity of the prim British capital.
But, surprisingly, here miraculously combines antiquity and modernity. This is especially noticeable on Whitehall Street, in the heart of a large European capital.
It starts from the Parliament building, and overlooks the beautiful Trafalgar Square. Of the main street buildings in London, the Admiralty and the Department of Defense are worth mentioning. Opposite these buildings, a monument was erected in honor of the soldiers who died during the First World War.
You can find out about other beautiful streets around the world here.
9
Millennium Bridge
The famous sights of London rightfully include the graceful and ultramodern Millennium Bridge, which spread across the Thames in 2000.
The pedestrian bridge is one of many world objects whose construction was timed to coincide with the beginning of the new millennium. Initially, the construction budget amounted to 2.2 million pounds, but the attraction is 9 times higher than the original cost.
Without serving a year, the bridge was closed for reconstruction, during which it was strengthened in order to avoid hesitation. But among the people, the name "Shaky Bridge" was fixed.
10
Wembley Stadium
The beautiful Wembley belongs to the sports attractions of the British capital, on the field of which the most important sporting events and concerts of world stars are held.
The stadium in London was opened in 1923, and in 2007 a new, ultramodern Wembley with a capacity of 90 thousand people opened its entrances to fans.
The magnificent stadium is equipped with a retractable roof, because for him the expression, rightly known throughout the football world, is that “the match will take place in any weather!”.
11
Monument to Admiral Nelson
In the center of Trafalgar Square, grateful Londoners in 1843 established a column in honor of the illustrious commander of the British fleet, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson.
The statue of Vice Admiral, 5.5 m high, is installed on a 64-meter column, decorated with bronze floral ornaments. On four sides of the pedestal are panels depicting 4 great battles of which Nelson was a participant.
In 1867, four lion statues were installed at the very base of the Corinthian column, the author of which was made by the sculptor Edwin Landsir. Thus, the entire monument received a solid, complete look.
12
Sherlock Holmes House Museum
Not to be ignored is the house at Baker Street, 221 B, in which in 1990 a unique monument was opened to the beloved literary hero of not only the British, but also all lovers of the detective genre, Sherlock Holmes.
The interior of the house was created in strict accordance with the description of the apartment in which the famous detective and his friend and assistant Dr. Watson lived. Conan Doyle settled them at a non-existent address, but by the decision of the city authorities such a number appeared on the city map.
Photo and video shooting is allowed in the house, and those who wish can leave a record in the book of visits.
13
Piccadilly Circus
In the historical part of the British capital, one of the most famous world squares and the largest in Westminster is comfortably spread. Until the beginning of the XVII century, it was called Portuguese, and the whole neighborhood around it was called Portugal.
It got its modern name from the mansion of businessman Robert Baker, who made a fortune selling hard collars called “picadils”.
Over time, representatives of the English aristocracy, and in modern times bankers and large businessmen, began to erect luxurious mansions on this wide area.
14
Prince Albert Memorial
Among the shady alleys and greenery of the magnificent Kensingston Park, in its very center in 1875 a monument was built in honor of Prince Albert.
The monument was established by personal order of Queen Victoria, whose wife was the Prince of Saxony. In the center of the monument is a bronze sculpture of the prince himself, made by the famous sculptor Thomas Brock.
The majestic monument itself was designed and built in the Neo-Gothic style by architect and sculptor George Scott.
15
Greenwich Observatory
The unique scientific organization of Great Britain was founded during the reign of Charles II and by his personal order in 1675.
The main purpose was to observe celestial objects, and most importantly, to clarify the stellar coordinates for English sailors. Today, the observatory, located on the zero meridian, serves as a museum in which exhibits are presented and the entire history of the development of world astronomy is shown.
In 2013, a monument to Yuri Gagarin was erected on the territory belonging to the observatory as a sign of deep respect.
16
Red telephone box
Considering the unusual sights of London, it is imperative to mention the visiting card of the city.
The red telephone box in London is a traditional attribute of city streets, and together with double-decker buses, it is a beautiful symbol of conservative England.
In the fleeting age of all kinds of gadgets, the booths of architect Gileson Gilbert Scott continue to delight Londoners and visitors. In addition, they are in working condition, and over time it is planned to provide them with free WiFi.
17
Skyscraper Mary Ex
An unusual form of a 40-story skyscraper grew up in London in 2004, and its design features consist in the fact that it does not know the corners, and because of its shape it has received the nickname "cucumber" among the people.
At the base, the diameter of the beautiful structure is 49 m, then it expands, and already on the upper floors the diameter narrows to 25 m.
The building is almost entirely composed of glass, which makes it one of the most economical, consuming a minimum of electricity. The sharp roof is a solid glass dome.
18
London eye
The story about the symbols of London continues the largest Ferris wheel, which is perfect for spending time and fun for children and adults.
The booths of the attraction, which rise to a height of 135 m, offer magnificent views of London. The majestic Thames, palaces and parks of the British capital.
The project was approved in 1998, and in 2004 the wheel received its first visitors, and remains a favorite vacation spot for Londoners and visitors.
19
London National Gallery
In the ranking of the best museums in the world, the London National Gallery is one of the most honorable places. Here are the best masterpieces of the greatest artists of Europe, including Van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo. It houses one of the most impressive art collections in the world. More than six million visitors visit it annually. Some of the main masterpieces presented here are: a preliminary sketch of “Madonna and Child” by Leonardo da Vinci, “Venus and Mars” by Botticelli, “Sunflowers” by Van Gogh and “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet.
20
Churchill's War Rooms
One of the most interesting and emotional historical sights of the city is the Churchill Military Command Center. This place has been well preserved to this day, it was here that Prime Minister Winston Churchill commanded military operations to defend his homeland during World War II.
The Spartan simplicity of the bunker underscores the country's plight, as Nazi grip intensified throughout Europe. England was practically separated from the whole world, standing face to face with an implacable enemy. You will see the small room in which Churchill slept, and the modest radio studio where he broadcast his famous replicas of wartime. Simple details, such as Clementine Churchill's knitting wool, which indicates the front lines on the map of Europe, enliven the era, as no other museum in the world.
21
Hyde Park
Occupying 350 hectares, Hyde Park is London's largest park. One of its main attractions is an artificial lake, which has existed here since the 18th century. Here you can swim in the hot heat or go boating. Another attraction of Hyde Park is Apsley House - the house-museum of the first Duke of Wellington, acquired by him after the famous victory in Waterloo. The museum currently houses magnificent collections of paintings, including the Weisersel by Seville Velazquez, as well as gifts presented to the Duke by grateful European kings and emperors.
22
Tate Modern
We will complete a walk around London in the gallery of modern art, the expositions of which exhibit masterpieces from 1500 g to the present day.
The grand opening of the gallery took place in 2000, and placed it in the monument of history and architecture - the former Power Station Bankside Power Station.
We note an interesting fact that in terms of attendance by tourists and art lovers, Tate Art Nouveau is confidently among the ten world famous museums.
Popular sights of London annually visit hundreds of thousands of tourists, and the city has long become not only a financial, but also a tourist center.
We went a bit beyond the TOP-20 sights of London, and tried to designate what to visit in London in the first place, and most importantly, presented the sights of London with photos and names, so that our reader, going to the capital of Britain, will easily find them on a city map.