A (very brief) Guide to London
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, was founded 2000 years ago by the Romans as Londinium. The city has been Western Europe’s largest city for centuries: as early as in 1700 more than 575,000 people lived in London.
Today London is not only the largest city but also one of the most visited thanks to its numerous famous attractions such as the Tower Bridge and the Big Ben.
Predominant Architecture:
The city of London is not characterized by any particular architectural style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time. Few structures predate the Great Fire of 1666, notable exceptions including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Banqueting House and several scattered Tudor survivors in the City of London.
Places to See:
Big Ben: The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, known as the Big Ben, is one of London’s most famous landmarks. At the time the tower was built in 1858 its clock was the largest in the world.
Tower Bridge: Despite being disliked by many when it was built in 1894 the bridge soon became one of the London’s most famous landmarks.
London Eye: A giant observation wheel in the center of London. Since its opening in 2000 the 30-minute ‘flight’ offers visitors great panoramic views over London.
Houses of Parliament: The seat of Britain’s two parliamentary houses was built in 1870. The enormous building is best known for its iconic clock Tower, the Big Ben.
Westminster Abbey: Construction of the Westminster Abbey started in 1050 and spanned 8 centuries. The abbey serves as a burial ground for many famous monarchs, scientists and artists.
Buckingham Palace: The most famous of all the palaces in London. The palace is still used as the official residence of the Queen.
