Westminster

City of Westminster

The City of Westminster is a borough of London and is in the western city centre. The major part of the West End and the seat of the british government are located here.

Westminster Abbey was built from 1045-1065 by Edward the COnfessor. The building of the church began in 1245. The main towers, however, were not built until the 18th century. Since William the Conquerer, all kings of England and, later on, of the United Kingdom have been crowned here. Until George II (died in 1760), all Kings were entombed here, too. Because of these functions, Westminster Abbey is not ordained to any denomination.
However, not only kings lie buried here, but other personalities, as well, e.g. Clement Attlee (British prime minister), Ernest Rutherford (New Zealandish chemist and physicist), or Isaac Newton (astronomer), or important poets and authors like Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales), Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist) or Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book).

In the 19th century, Marble Arch was originally built to serve as an entrance gate to Buckingham Palace. Since the arch, however, was too narrow for the state coaches to pass through, it was removed in 1851, and ever since has been marking one of the entrances to Hyde Park. From here, you also arrive at Oxford Street, one of the big shopping malls in London.

Westminster Bridge, with a view to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
The Houses of Parliament were built where formerly the old Westminster Palace was, which was completely destroyed by a fire in 1840.
The famous clock tower "Big Ben" was built in 1858. The bell, which is a part of it, weigh 13,5 metrical tons. The name "Big Ben" originates from Sir Benjamin Hall (1802 - 1867) who had it built. With about 96 metres, Big ben is one of the highest buildings in Great Britain, and, with its clockface having a diametre of 8 metres, Big Ben is the biggest clock in Great Britain.
Trafagar Square is the biggest square in London, and it reminds us of the victorious battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon in 1805.
The national gallery is located at Trafalgar Square. It was opened in 1838 and it acommodates a huge collection of European paintings from the 13th - 20th centuries. The admissin is free, by the way.
Entrance to the Cabinet War Rooms, the secret air-raid protection building of Winston Churchill and his staff from 1941 - 1945. During this time, the logistical centre, General Ismay´s headquarters, a BBC facility so that Churchill could broadcast directly, and a connection to Selfridge´s general store were located here, the latter because Selfridge´s was housing an American cipher machine which was too large for the Cabinet War Rooms.

	Westminster Abbey was built from 1045-1065 by Edward the COnfessor. The building of the church began in 1245. The main towers, however, were not built until the 18th century. Since William the Conquerer, all kings of England and, later on, of the United Kingdom have been crowned here. Until George II (died in 1760), all Kings were entombed here, too. Because of these functions, Westminster Abbey is not ordained to any denomination. However, not only kings lie buried here, but other personalities, as well, e.g. Clement Attlee (British prime minister), Ernest Rutherford (New Zealandish chemist and physicist), or Isaac Newton (astronomer), or important poets and authors like Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales), Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist) or Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book).
	In the 19th century, Marble Arch was originally built to serve as an entrance gate to Buckingham Palace. Since the arch, however, was too narrow for the state coaches to pass through, it was removed in 1851, and ever since has been marking one of the entrances to Hyde Park. From here, you also arrive at Oxford Street, one of the big shopping malls in London.
	Westminster Bridge, with a view to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The Houses of Parliament were built where formerly the old Westminster Palace was, which was completely destroyed by a fire in 1840.
	The famous clock tower "Big Ben" was built in 1858. The bell, which is a part of it, weigh 13,5 metrical tons. The name "Big Ben" originates from Sir Benjamin Hall (1802 - 1867) who had it built. With about 96 metres, Big ben is one of the highest buildings in Great Britain, and, with its clockface having a diametre of 8 metres, Big Ben is the biggest clock in Great Britain.
	Trafagar Square is the biggest square in London, and it reminds us of the victorious battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon in 1805.
	The national gallery is located at Trafalgar Square. It was opened in 1838 and it acommodates a huge collection of European paintings from the 13th - 20th centuries. The admissin is free, by the way.
	Entrance to the Cabinet War Rooms, the secret air-raid protection building of Winston Churchill and his staff from 1941 - 1945. During this time, the logistical centre, General Ismay´s headquarters, a BBC facility so that Churchill could broadcast directly, and a connection to Selfridge´s general store were located here, the latter because Selfridge´s was housing an American cipher machine which was too large for the Cabinet War Rooms.