Otázka: London
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): anet
Basic facts/information
Location
-is situated in the south-east of England
-is the capital city of England, Great Britain and the U.K.
-lies on the both banks of the River Thames
Population
-about 8 milions inhabitons(10 milions with suburbs)
Means of transport
- the underground-The Tube
-is the oldest in the world(established in 1863)
- taxis-called Black cabs
- Red double-decker buses
- from France to England
-by ferry transport both(people and vehicles)
-from Calais to Dover
- the Channel Tunnel (the chunnel)
-from Calais to Folkstone
- by plane
-airports-Heathrow
-Gatwish
-Stansted
History
- 800 B.C.-The Celts setteled the territory
- 50 B.C.- The Romas came
- 43 A.D. The Romans established Roman Londinium
- the 11th century -William the Conqueor came to London
- 17th century
-1665-The Plague =The Black Death
-during the epidemic about 100,000 people died
-1666-The Great Fire of London
-four-fith(4/5) of London were destroyed
-started in Pudding Lane at the bakery
-The Monument commemorates The Great Fire of London
Historical sides
2 main parts:
1)The City(of London)
a)The tower of London
-the oldest building in London
-William the Conqueor built the White Tower in the 11th century
-it used to be as a royal residence(or residence seat)
-a prison-there were 2 wifes of Henry VIII. inprisoned and executed+Thomas Moore
-it was a royal menangerie(ZOO)
-in The Tower there are 7 ravens-if they leave The Tower the British Monarchy will fall
-they wings are clipped
– every raven has a own name
The Guards of the Tower
-they guarded prisoners-in the past
-have ceremonial duties-at present
-they called Beefeaters-they wear Tudor uniforms-the uniform is dark blue with red trimmings-on the front there are 2 letters: E-represents Elisabeth II., R-represents Rex or Regina
-at present the Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower
-inside there is a collection of weapons
-each night the ceremony of keys takes place in the Tower-during the ceremony all gates are locked
b)Bridges over the Thames
-about 30 bridges
Tower Bridge
– was built in the 19th century
-it can be opened in the middle and let ships go through, it takes 90 seconds to open
London Bridge
-the oldest bridge over the river
Millenium Bridge
-opened in 2000
c) St. Paul’s Cathedral
-was built in 17th century after Great fire of London(35 years)
-architect of St. P. C. is Christopher Wren
-the seat of London Biskop
-is built in Barocque Style
-the dome-the 2nd largest in the world
Whispering Gallery
-famous occasions took place there-funnerals-for example funneral of Margaret Thatcher or funneral of Winston Churchil
-wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles
Heroes burried in Cathedral
-Christopher Wren
-Admiral Horation Nelson(he defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805)
d) The centre of financial life
-Bank of England
-Royal Exchange
-Lhoyd’s Insurance Company
e) The Monument
-commemorates the place where Great Fire of london started(in Pudding Lane at the bakery)
f) London Eye
Millenium wheel
-5 countries took part in constructions
-32 capsules for 25 people, the round trip takes 30 minutes
g) Globe Theatre
-it was built in 1599
-Shakespeare played and wrote plays for it
2) The city of Westminster
a) The Houses of Parliament
-it is the seat of British Parliament
-there are 2 towers
–Victoria Tower-if the flag flying on the top the British Parliament is sitting
–Clock Tower-inside there is a bell called Big Ben(named after one member of Parliament-Benjamin Hall)-the strike of Big Ben is used by BBC as a time signal
b) Westminster Abbey
-the most important church in England
-all kings and queens since William the Conquere(11th century) have been crowned there
-last coronation-in 1953 of Elisabeth II.
-the place of great events-funerals-f.e. of Pricess Diana
-weddings-f.e. of Prince William
Poets corner
-memorial of famous writers f.e. Ch. Dickens, W.Shakespeare
c) Buckingham Palace
-was built at the beginning of the 18th century for Duke of Buckingham
-the seat of Royal family
-the 1st queen-Queen Victoria in the 19th century
-at 11 o’clock every day takes place Special ceremony “Changing the Guards“ in front of Buckingham Palace
-in front of Buckingham Palace there is a Memorial of Victoria(erected in 1911)
d) Trafalgar Square
-the main square in London
-in the middle there is Nelson’s Column-50 m high
-on the top there is a statue of Horatio Nelson(he defeated Napolen at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805)
-arround the column- 4 bronze statues of lions
-at the top of the square there is The National Gallery(collection of paintings from the 13th to the 20th century)
e) Piccadilly circus
-the busiest place in London
-the centre of entertainment-shops, cinemas, theaters, clubs
-in the middle there is fountain with the statue of Eros(Greek God of love)
f) Wellington Arch
-commemorates Duke of Wellington-defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815
Parks
-in London are used for relaxation, go jogging,
- James Park-arround Buckingham Palace
- Regents Park-near Sherlock Holmes Museum(he was a detective created by Arthur Connan Doyle)
- Hyde Park-speaker’s corner-a place where everybody can(may) speech
Shopping
- Oxford Street-shops from the cheapest to the most expensive
(in Prague it’s Paris Street, in New York it’s Fifth Avenue)
- Harrods-the oldest department store in London
-it used to be official supplier of Royal Family
