London has seen some turbulent times. It has survived plagues, the Great Fire of London and two world wars. Despite all this, the capital of the United Kingdom still has its fair share of sights for history lovers.
The Romans turned ‘Londinium’ into a civilized town. Few Roman sights remain, but the ancient Roman Wall built around the City of London and now known as the London Wall is still in evidence near Moorgate. The ruins of The Temple of Mithras are on Queen Victoria Street and there is an exhibit of the Temple at the Museum of London. The curious London Stone in Cannon Street sits behind iron grating and is said to have been the marker from which all distances were measured in London.
After Roman rule London fell into decline, but out of the following reigns grew Westminster Abbey. Edward the Confessor rebuilt the old Saxon church in the Romanesque style and William the Conqueror was crowned there. Henry III gave the Abbey its current Gothic appearance in the Middle Ages.
Medieval London gave birth to the Tower of London. The Tower was built on and extended to become the building we know today. Westminster Hall was started by William II and was the basis for the Houses of Parliament. London’s oldest church, St. Bartholomew’s Priory was founded in 1123 and still stands in West Smithfield.
Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Richmond Park and St. James’s Park were established and used by the Tudors as royal hunting grounds. Visitors to the parks appreciate the greenery, but it is nice to think back to their original use. The Tudors also built the Globe Theatre, which sadly burned down during the Great Fire. The building as it stands today is a modern replica.
Inigo Jones changed the landscape of London. Covent Garden Piazza and Queen’s Chapel in central London show the city in the 17th century. The plague and the fire ravaged London including St. Paul’s cathedral. Christopher Wren set to rebuilding the cathedral and many more of London’s churches.
Georgian London is still in evidence thanks to beautiful houses such as Chiswick House and Syon House. They are well worth a visit. Buckingham Palace took on its role as royal residence for the first time.
John Nash created Regent’s Street and Piccadilly Circus and the clock tower known as Big Ben rose as Georgian gave way to Victorian.
London continues to change into the 21st century but a day spent walking its streets reveals a whole host of sights and attractions from the Roman to Victorian that have shaped Britain’s capital city.
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