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Along the Thames stands the Tower of London, which was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. The Tower of London comes 1st among the historic buildings of the city. It was used as a fortress, a royal residence and a prison. The gray stones of the Tower could tell terrible stories of violence and injustice. The Bloody Tower is the most famous, for here many important prisoners were confined and tortured, such as Henry VIII. Ann Boleyn, Thomas More and many others. Now it is a museum of armour and also the place where Crown Jewels are kept. Each of the room of the Jewel House has a large video screen, telling the history of the Crown Jewels. The ravens whose forefathers used to find food in the Tower still live here as part of the history. There is a legend that if the ravens disappear the Tower will fall. Now the Tower is guarded by so-called "Beefeaters", who wear traditional Tudor uniform.
A twenty minutes' walk from the Tower will take you to another historic building - St. Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. The modern St. Paul's is the forth cathedral dedicated to London's St. patron to be built on this site - the first was a wooden building founded in the 7th century. This cathedral with its huge dome and rows of columns is considered to be a fine example of Renaissance architecture. Inside it has 3 galleries. Firstly, leg takes you up to the Whispering Gallery where the extraordinary acoustics allow you to hear words. Here the slightest sound can be heard at the distance of 10 meters. This was a favourite place for lovers in the Victorian period who would whisper secret messages to each other. The next flight of spiraled stairs leads to the Stone Gallery with grand views and benches to rest. And even more magnificent is the view of London from the Golden Gallery. Though for this pleasure you'll have to climb another 160 fire-escape type steps. For a less energetic experience The Crypt contains the tombs of some Britain's greatest heroes: Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and others.
Well, if now we walk along Fleet Street, we shall soon come to Trafalgar Square, which is the centre of London. It was named so in memory of the victory in the battle of Trafalgar, where on October 21, 1805 the English Fleet under Nelson's command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain. The victory was won at the cost of Nelson's life. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson's monument - a tall column with the figure of Nelson at its top. The column is guarded by 4 bronze lions.
Westminster Abbey, affectionately known to the British as The Abbey, but which, official name is The Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster, is undoubtedly the most important and famous of all historic buildings in Britain. As the symbol of Britain's national identity, it attracts five to six million visitors each year. All the kings and queens of England since William the Conqueror - with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII - have been crowned here.
Innumerable famous people - kings and statesmen, poets and scientists, artists and musicians, clergymen and army officers - are buried in the church. In Poet's Corner die most important English literary men are buried or remembered by a monument. Among them are Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, John Milton. Samuel Johnson, William Wordsworth, Robert Burns and Charles Dickens.
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No 12. Give the panorama of the historical places of Minsk. Mention some historical events connected with them. Analyze their importance for the development of the city. | | | Entertainment in London |