If you are planning a trip to London, do not forget about visiting the Tower of London, namely Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London. It's a big castle and a palace belonging to the monarchs of England. It is one of the most popular sights in London, which not only impresses with its sight, but also has many wonderful exhibits related to the history of the whole country. Currently, the Tower of London is no longer used by monarchs – the last of them was James I (1566-1625). The monument is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The Tower of London has a very long history. It is ancient Norman building, which dates back to the beginning of XI century. It was built in 1078 years by William the Conqueror, King William I. The moat was created by Richard I – it used to that water from the river Thames. The building is also surrounded by several rows of walls and now in the moat’s former riverbed grows grass. The height of the Tower of London reaches 30 meters, wall thickness is up to 3.6 meters. In the central part is the White Towers built in the twelfth century. Also pay attention to the Traitors Gate leading to prison.

Over the centuries the Tower of London had very many usages. For a long time it was a prison from which there was no chance to escape, because the entrance to the prison was located right in the water. To get to it, you had to row the boat and then lead the prisoner to his cell. In The Tower of London were imprisoned, inter alia, King Henry IV of England, Queen Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Lady Jane Grey, sailor Walter Raleigh, in 1941 Rudolf Hess. Many prisoners were also executed in the Tower of London.

In addition to the prison the Tower of London was also a fortress, a palace and even a zoo. The building was in the past guarded by guards called Yeomen Warders or Beefeaters, who also today inhabit the tower, along with their families. The fortress was a storage for weapons, precious jewels, royal insignia – the royal ring and an apple and a scepter with a cross and the world's largest Cullinan diamond, as well as the British crown adorned with the second largest in the world Cullinan II diamond. Crown jewels today can also be seen in the Tower of London. It also operates as a museum of armor and has other seasonal exhibitions. More information about them can be found on the website of the Tower of London.

One of the important symbols of the Tower of London are ravens. Legend has it that as long as they live on the towers Tower of London, so long will the British Empire exist. On the tower ravens live from the seventeenth century, since then guards – Ravenmasters are responsible for them.

The Tower of London is one of the mandatory places on the agenda for anyone wanting to visit London. Crown jewels, rich history, as well as many other attractions makes it a unique monument.

Tower of London
London EC3N 4AB