London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom. It is 9th largest city in the world - its population is about 10 million inhabitants. London is situated on the river Thames in south-east England. The river Thames with its important docks has been used as a highway since prehistoric times. It is the biggest port because the river is deep enough. It is an economic, cultural and important political centre of G.B. London is divided into Westminster city (government centre) and The City of London (financial centre).

London was founded  as a Roman settlement of Londonium (the most important port), which grew around a bridge over the River Thames built by the Roman emperor Claudius. The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed almost all the city.
It began in a baker's shop in Pudding Lane a continued for 4 days and after the fire, the city was rebuilt. After the great fire London developed into a city of world-wide fame. Many buildings were designed by sir Christopher Wren. He was responsible for the Monument to the Great Fire. It is a great pillar, which is 65 m high. In the 19th century it was the largest city of the world, the largest port land and the most important financial centre. During World War II was heavily damaged by the German bombing.

There are many places of interest. We can see them by walking or by various means of transport. London's famous red double-deckers go almost everywhere. For fast transport we can go by the Underground. It is the oldest underground in the world. In Britain only 3 cities have the underground: London, Glasgow and Newcastle. There are also 3 airports in London. The most important are Heathrow and Gatwick.
You can see lots of monuments and typical symbols of London.

St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. It is a masterpiece of the architect Sir Christopher Wren and was built after the Great Fire in 1666. It took 42 years for the completion. Wren is buried here. The cathedral is known for its Whispering Gallery. Standing on this gallery you can clearly hear what is whispered in the opposite side 107 feet far from you. During the World War II it was badly damaged by bombs. In 1981 Prince of Wales Charles and Lady Diana were married here. It´s similar to St. Peter´s Cathedral in Vaticano.

Buckingham Palace - the Queen’s residence in London since the Queen Victoria’s reign. Some of its rooms are open to the public during August and September. One of the biggest London’s parades is Changing the Guards The guards are in red uniforms. Before the entrance to the Buckingham palace stands a big statue of Queen Victoria – Queen Victoria Monument.

The Houses of Parliament (built up in gothic style) are the residence of Members of Parliament. It is a building of historical interest, the crowning place of English Kings and Queens and the buried place of a member of English statesmen, writers, soldiers and poets. It is 150 years old. The origin palace burnt and then was rebuilt. Prime Minister lives near Houses of Parliament. There is also famous clock - tower with Big Ben and its characteristic bell-ringing (it is said that it got its name after fat Ben the Member of parliament).

Whitehall is the street when the government offices are. The Whitehall Palace is one of the most visited places of interest. The Changing of the Guards takes place there every day. There 3 guards. Two on horses and one is standing between them.

Downing Street 10 it is official home of British Prime Ministers since 1731.

Westminster Abbey. Coronations of sovereigns have been held in Westminster Abbey for about 900 years. Most of them are buried within its walls. The Abbey is an excellent example of gothic architecture. Many state occasions and royal weddings are took place there. There are the names of the soldiers who died during the battle of Britain, so we can find there the names of Czech and Slovak pilots there too.


Tower is the London castle. Originally it was a royal palace, fortress, residence of the King, state prison and a royal zoo. Now it is a museum. The Crown Jewels (with one of the two biggest diamond in the world) are guarded by the Beefeaters in their traditional Tudor uniforms are kept here.

The Tower Bridge – one of the most famous symbols of London. It was built last century. It can open in the middle and let large ships go through.

Trafalgar Square was named after Admiral Nelson's victory. Nelson's statue is situated on the high column near fountains. He defeated Napoleon there. It is one of the London' busiest place with lot of pigeons being fed by tourists.

The National Gallery is across the top of the Trafalgar Square. It includes works by nearly all the great European masters .

The British Museum is the largest museum in the world. It houses collection of all kinds of animals, minerals and rocks. There is a collection of fine and applied arts of all countries, periods and styles. The British Museum's library is the largest in the world.
The most famous shopping and entertainment centres in London are in Piccadilly Circus. It is the small round circus in the heart of London from which 5 important streets go. There are cinema, theatres, restaurants, cafes and pubs. In the middle there is a statue of Eros. Many buildings around are decorated with neon advertisements.

Madame Tusand's Museum is the home of celebrities from the world of entertainment, politics and sport. This is the best known wax exhibition in the world. One can see there all royal family, our ex-president Havel and the group Beatles.
There are many parks in London – James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park
The largest of the parks is Hyde Park. It is also known for its Speaker's Corner where anybody can have speech but nobody can criticize the Queen. The people can listen to the speakers; they can walk, sit on the banks, listen to the birds or have a picnic on the grass.

The Post Office Tower (Black Tower) is the tallest building in Great Britain. It is nearly 190 metres high.
With its 40 theatres and music halls London is the centre of Britain's theatre life. The most important are The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall, The Queen Elisabeth Hall are the main concert halls. The opera and ballet are given at the Royal Opera House.

You can make their trips to various places that are within easy reach of London. Windsor Castle is the residence of nearly all the British sovereigns outside London. Kew Gardens are the Royal Botanical Gardens with the largest collection of living plants in the world. Greenwich is the seat of the National Maritime Museum where the Royal Observatory is - here is a brass strip , which marks the prime meridian. It was formerly hospital.