Tower of London
A magical historical journey through the heart of the Kingdom of Great Britain
Whenever someone mentions the city of London, an endless stream of clichés immediately come to mind, from riding a red double-decker bus to giving polite nods to the Queen's Guard to the iconic Big Ben images. The vibrant city of London offers countless entertaining and exciting experiences that take visitors on a cultural journey through the heart of the Kingdom of Great Britain. For those of you who are interested in digging deeper into the historical treasures of the city, and truly learning the story of the city of London, there is one place where history comes alive, welcome to the Tower of London.
Picture it: a chunky stone fortress towering over the banks of the pastoral Thames River, full of centuries-old secrets and fairy tales that fill its spaces. The Tower of London is much more than a simple tower, but a sprawling complex of towers, castles, walls and green spaces that spread out like a huge time machine loaded with history.
The historical story of the Tower of London:
The Tower of London, also called the Tower of London, is considered one of the iconic landmarks in Great Britain. The tower's long history spans two thousand years, and its walls have witnessed some of the most dramatic events in England's history.
The construction of the tower began under the reign of William the Conqueror, at the end of the 11th century. William, a Norman king, invaded England in 1066, and built the tower as a show of power, a defense against angry Londoners and above all a symbol of his authority over the city. The central part of the tower, known as the 'White Tower', was built in 1078 with the aim of controlling and intimidating the city's residents.
Over the following centuries the iconic tower was expanded under the reign of various kings. In the 12th century, fortifications and royal rooms were added to the tower, and at the end of the 13th century, walls and new buildings were added to the complex.
Throughout history the tower complex was used for various governmental purposes. Until the 17th century, the tower was a royal residence where rulers and kings lived, and it was also home to the Royal Menagerie, a sort of zoo for exotic animals. The tower was also used, among other things, as an observatory and a royal mint, and even as a prison and execution center. The Tower of London boasts a gruesome record of many heads being hanged under its walls, including famous prisoners such as Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the wives of King Henry VIII of England, and Lady Jane Grey, who reigned over the Kingdom of England for only nine days until she was executed on the grounds that her queen was illegal.
Since the reign of Charles II, who was King of England in the 17th century, the tower housed the collection of the crown jewels, a collection of ceremonial and symbolic precious objects that were used as a setting for coronation ceremonies, political ceremonies and important events. We will expand on the crown jewels later.
Today, the Tower of London is considered one of the leading tourist attractions in the world, and is crowned as a World Heritage Site. A visit to the tower will take you to explore its impressive grounds - from the White Tower through the medieval fortress, the collection of crown jewels and many other attractions.
The history of the Tower of London is the history of England itself, and it still continues to unfold each and every day.
What do you see when visiting the Tower of London?
The Tower of London will take you on a journey between a magnificent palace, a notorious historical prison, a vault of prestigious treasures and a fascinating museum. The tower offers its visitors a captivating glimpse into the splendor and intrigue of bygone eras in the Kingdom of England.
The White Tower:
Your journey at the Tower of London should begin at the White Tower, the oldest building in the complex built in 1078 from impressive stones specially imported from the Normandy region of France. It got its name because of its white exterior, and it consists of three main floors and a basement. The entrance floor of the tower and the floor above contain a large and impressive hall next to a living room with an ancient chapel, and on the top floor you will find an exhibition of royal weapons.
In the White Tower complex you will find St John's Chapel, an ancient church that beautifully represents Norman church architecture. The impressive chapel was used by the royal and aristocracy families who lived inside the citadel.
The Crown Jewels:
One of the highlights of the visit to the tower complex is the Crown Jewels collection, a breathtaking collection of prestigious jewels that were and are still used by the British monarchs during national ceremonies and official events. The collection is housed in the Jewel House in the complex, and it includes magnificent works of gold and diamonds such as the magnificent Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign's Orb, a globe jewel made of gold and inlaid with pearls and gems, and the Sovereign's Scepter with Cross), a royal scepter from the 17th century that holds the largest diamond in the world, a 530 carat diamond.
The Medieval Palace:
The medieval palace is an intriguing combination of ancient buildings, including St. Thomas's Tower, Wakefield Tower and Lanthorn Tower. The ancient towers once housed English kings and queens during the Middle Ages, and today stand proudly as an ancient museum where you can find restored interiors that provide a glimpse of the royal residences. Don't miss King Edward I's bedroom and the impressive display in THE KING'S PRIVATE CHAPEL.
The Ravens of the Tower of London:
If during your visit around the tower you come across black crows, you have nothing to fear, because they are actually royal crows. Yes yes, you heard right.
The ravens, which are usually considered to be a bothersome and oppressive life, are considered in the Tower of London to be an essential symbol of the necessity of the existence of the British monarchy, since according to superstitions, if the ravens leave the tower, the kingdom of Britain will fall.
To ensure that the kingdom of England does not fall because of a black crow, the tower maintains the presence of at least six crows at all times, which are looked after by a special unit in the palace.
The strange story has become one of the symbols of the tower, and if you do happen to meet a black crow during your visit, do not try to run to it or chase it away, because after all, it is on it that the kingdom of England rose and fell.
Prisoners of the Tower Exhibition:
A visit to the iconic tower would not be complete without delving into its dark history as a brutal prison. The Prisoners of the Tower exhibition presents the intimate stories of the unlucky ones imprisoned in the dark compound, among them two of the wives of King Henry VIII and the famous British thinker Sir Thomas More. The fascinating exhibition teaches its visitors about the chilling history of the tower. Don't miss Tower Green, the site of the execution of two English queens and five distinguished noblemen.
Tower of London - everything you need to know:
Location: The Tower of London is located in the center of the city, and is easily accessible by public transport from around the city. The nearest tube (subway) station is Tower Hill station on the District and Circle lines. The tower is also a short walk from London Bridge station. Also, bus lines number 15, 42, 78, 100, 343 and RV1 also come from around the city to the vicinity of the tower.
שעות פתיחה: The opening hours of the Tower of London vary from month to month, but the tower is open every day of the week from the morning hours (9:00\10:00) until the early evening hours (17:30\18:00 p.m.). It is recommended to check the website before your visit.
You can purchase an entrance ticket only, or tickets that combine guided tours and a host of other experiences and attractions.
There are free guided tours in English that depart several times a day and will take you on a historical journey through the castle grounds.
It is highly recommended to order tickets in advance, which will save you long queues at the ticket offices and ensure your entry on time.
In the tower complex you will find several cafes and kiosks, including the New Armories cafe that offers a variety of meals, snacks and drinks. Also in the summer months you will find sweet and refreshing ice cream stands.
The Tower of London gift shop is a great place to purchase a lovely memento of the city, and you'll find a variety of souvenirs and objects, from replicas of the Crown Jewels to household items and clothing details.
Tips for a successful visit to the tower
- Spend at least 3 hours in the blues Explore the spaces of the tower, because there is lots and lots to see and experience.
- The Tower of London is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK, so it is busy most months of the year. It is recommended to book tickets in advance To save the entry lines, and arrive early in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds.
- Use the free audio guides in the complex, or join one of the guided tours in the tower that will take you on a fascinating historical journey.
- Came with comfortable shoes- A lot of walking and many stairs to climb await you.
- They arrived on a sunny and pleasant day- Most of the visit to the complex is in open areas, so you must prepare for this in advance.
The magical Tower of London will take you on an adventure full of stories about power, love, deception, death and survival, in a historical site where every stone and corner whispers the stories of the past.
If you come to the vibrant city and are looking for a place where you can delve into the past of the city and the country, embark on a journey through thousands of years of history, discover the legends, humor and horror that make up the fabric of the city, the Tower of London is exactly the place for you.
After all, it's not every day you get to walk around the exact same place where kings and queens, saints and sinners, heroes and villains lived.
