<span><span>London is considered to be not only the capital of the United Kingdom, but also one of the capitals of the world political, economic and cultural. </span><span>It is the largest city and port in the world. </span><span>In the i th century BC on the site of a Celtic settlement Romans created a city called Londinium. </span><span>In 884, Alfred the Great made London the capital of the state, with 976 years of Anglo-Saxon domination of time the city became the seat of royal power. </span><span>Now living in London 6.8 million people. </span><span>Each year, one of them added millions of tourists who are attracted by the monuments, museums, theaters, concert halls of the city. </span><span>The oldest part of London's so-called inner city or City (city of london). </span><span>This district is the worst affected by the fires. </span><span>Here are the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange, the residence of the Mayor, City Hall, the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), St Paul's Cathedral and many other churches. </span><span>At the site of the destroyed buildings now towering modern buildings of glass and concrete. </span><span>Mixing old and new is not only contrasts, but also emphasizes that the City and still lives an active life of the business center of the world. </span><span>In the eastern part of the City, on the banks of the Thames, the famous Tower of London, founded in xi century by William the Conqueror as a fortress. </span><span>Subsequently, the building was rebuilt many times a royal residence, and then prison. </span><span>Now in the Tower Museum, where, among other things, the British Crown Jewels are kept. </span><span>Besides the castle, spread across the Thames Tower Bridge is a beautiful bridge in London. </span><span>Turning from the Tower to the other, the southern bank of the Thames at London Bridge, you can see the Gothic cathedral, built in 1206. </span><span>At the same bank of the Thames is a modern arts center in South Bank, major concert halls (Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall), Lambeth Palace, the residence of the head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury.</span><span>Stretches to the west of the City, along the Thames, elegant street Strand leads to the famous Trafalgar Square. </span><span>The area is designed in the years 18291841, at its center is set 60-meter column in honor of Nelson's victory over frankoispanskim fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). </span><span>On the area of modest church in the Gothic style, it regularly hosts concerts of early music. </span><span>The National Gallery, built in the years 18341837 in the classical style, is located in the northern part of Trafalgar Square. </span><span>It keeps one of the world's richest collections of European paintings, which includes the most valuable collection of Flemish masters, Italian and Dutch schools.
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