All attractions in London, Appunti di Inglese

Scarica All attractions in London e più Appunti in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! THE THAMES RIVER The Thames River is placed in southern England; it goes throught the city center of London and it ends in the North Sea. The part of the the river from London is 9 meters deep under water and 240 meters wide. The Thames River starts in Kemble (Cotswold Hills) and it ends in the North Sea. Most of the animals that live in the Thames River are fish such as the Rainbow trouts, salmon, zanders, sturgeons, Wels catfish and eels. In the past, the Thames river has been a very important and necessary resource for the following reasons:  It was a source of nutrition(people were able to fish, get food and water)  It was a source of boats landing that would get throught the city thank to the river)  It was a source of trade(already from the Elizabethan era), England had an important economic power with other populations that would trade and get there thank to the river  The river got dead by the 1950s because of pollution, so they decided to create a campaign to avoid the plastic wastes that are found in the river Some of the most interesting attractions that can be done by the Thames River are:  Taking photos with a typical background  Go on a cruise and explore the sightseeing of the city of London  Have a riverside walk WEST MINSTER ABBEY The west minster abbey is the most important place of warship in London the St. Paul’ Cathedral, seat of the coronation of the sovereigns of England and important people’s funerals. It is located in Westminster, London, at west of the Westminster palace, the seat of the parliament. The Westminster abbey is a UNESCO world heritage site. Was built between 1045and 1050 by Edward the confessor who undertook the construction to keep faith with a vow he had made while he was still in exile in Normandy: if his family had again the England throne, he would have a pilgrimage to Rome. When he became king, it was impossible for the pontiff asking to be dispensed from the vote, then the pope replaced it in the committed to build a monastery dedicated to St. Peter. Edward identified a site where the cult of St. Peter existed, at Thorney Island on the Thames .in 1045 king Edward added a large donation of land around and then he began the construction of a gorgeous Romanesque church that was consecrated on 28thDecember 1065. Starting from 1066 almost all the royals coronation were held right here. The 10 bells of the abbey are famous for having played at all the historical events of the royal family. On 6 thSeptember 1997 they were celebrated the funerals of Lady Diana.On 9thApril 2002 it was celebrated also the funeral of the last queen on Ireland and empress of India, Elizabeth Bowes- Lyon. LONDON EYE The London eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the south bank of the river Thames, in London. The structure is 135 m. tall (443 feet). When it was opened to the public in 2000 it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. Offers the highest public viewing point in London , it is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the united kingdom. The predecessor to the London eye is the great wheel, was built for the empire of india exhibition at earls court. It stayed in serve until 1906. The great wheel was demolished in 1907. The London eye was formally opened by then Prime Minister Tony Blair on 31stDecember 1999, but did not open to the paying public until 9th march 2000. The ticket’ s cost for the London eye starts from £25 but can get to £50.The London Eye’ s are numbered from 1 ton 33, but in reality are just 32. For reasons related to the superstition was indeed jumped the number 13. From the top of the London eye you can see about 40 kilometers away till the Windsor castle. Originally it was called the London eye millennium wheel, but its name was changed to “London eye” in 2011. A ride on the London eye lasts 30 minutes. COVENT GARDEN Covent garden is a neighborhood in the district of Westminster in London. Animated by the numerous street performers.it is also one of London’s greatest tourists attractions. You can breathe a typically English air. The name “convent garden” is closely linked to the art of theater and opera. Here in fact in 1882 it was born the royal opera house one of the most important opera houses. Recently has come with a little market, the apple store where you can buy craft items and souvenirs. In the 70s century the streets of Covent garden were the upper quarters of London, intended exclusively for the rich. During the following century however the city became sadly famous for crime, gamble and brothels. In 1830 the unhealthy places were demolished, in 1980 the area became full of elegant shops. THE TOWER OF LONDON  The tower of London is an ancient Norman stone fortress in London. It stands on the north bank of the river Thames in the oldest part of the city. Around it where was a moat which was built by Richard 1st, using water diverted from the river Thames.the closest underground station to the tower of London. The fortress was built by the invading Duke of Normandy, William the conqueror, king William 1 st starting in 1078. The tower of London was built as a demonstration and symbol of Norman power. Only the most important people were executed inside the tower of London. Among the most famous were: - Anne Boleyn, queen of England (1536) wife of king henry VIII. - Catherine Howard, queen of England (1542) wife of king henry VIII.  The tradition of housing the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London probably dates from the reign of henry III. In 1669 the jewels house was demolished and demolished and the crown jewels moved into martin tower (until 1841). They were displayed here for viewing by the paying public. Since 1994 the crown jewels have on display in the jewel house in the waterloo block. Some of the pieces are used regularly by the queen. The display includes 23,578 gemstones, the 800- year- old coronation spoon, St. Edward’s crown (worn during all crowning at Westminster abbey).  The tower of London has a collection of ravens, large black birds of the Crow family. They are taken care of by the staff who work there. The ravens leave the tower, the tower and the kingdom will fall.  Anne Boleyn was beheaded in 1536 for treason against henry VIII; her ghost supposedly haunts the chapel of St. Peter and Vincula , where she is buried, has been said to walk around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. TOWER BRIDGE & HARRODS The tower bridge is a London bridge, located on the river Thames. It connects the village of Southwark and Tower Hamlets, near the tower of London. Its construction began in 1886 and was finished in 1898. It is manages to open in just 90 seconds, and passes ships to the London bridge.it is a bridge made up of 2 towers that are connected at the top by 2 covered pedestrian walkways, which also have the function of helping the structure as a whole to withstand the high stress due to the horizontal forces caused by the lifting of the bridge. The bridge is about 244 m long. On the occasion of the Olympics in 2012 the bridge received a face lift, and now we can see shiny metallic paint with blue arches. William Shakespeare was born at Stratford upon Avon in 1564, he died in the same place in 1616. He wrote 37 theatrical text, 154 sonnets and a series of other poems. Some of his linguistic expression are used in the English of every day. THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of south Kensington, London. It has a capacity of up to 5272 seats. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871. Each year it hosts then 3900 shows in the main auditorium, including classic, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screening with live orchestra, sports, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and banquets. The name was changed to the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences by Queen Victoria upon laying the hall’s foundation stone in 1867, in memory of her husband consort, Prince Albert who had six years earlier. BIG BEN Big ben is the name of the largest tower clock located to the north- east of the Westminster Palace, in London. In 2009 celebrations were held to mark the tower’s 150th anniversary. On the tower was projected “happy birthday Big Ben- 150 years”. The tower became the Elizabeth Tower, renamed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012, before that, it was known as the Clock Tower. There isn’t an elevator inside the clock, you must walk on foot. The tower is 96 meters high and the construction work started in 1834 and ended in 1858, but it only became operational in 1859. Big ben was raised as part of Charles Barry’s project for a new building, after the Westminster Palace was destroyed by fire in 1834. The new parliament was built in a neo- gothic style. Barry, the main architect of the building, turned to Augustus Pugin for the clock tower project. The project for the tower was Pugin’s last drawing before his death. The main bell, better knew as Big Ben, is the largest bell in the tower and part of the Great Clock of Westminster. There are 2 theories for the origin of the name: 1. The name derives from Benjamin Hall, the supervisor of the construction work of the Westminster Palace; 2. From the boxing champion Benjamin Caurit. The main bell weight is 13 tons and rings the hours, the other bell ring a particular music every quarter of hour. The sound of the Big Ben is heard up to 2 km away. The watch dials measure 8 meters, the hour hand measures 3 meters and the minute hand measures 4 a half meters. The Big Ben remained “SILENT”, without the sound of the bells for work in 1934 for 2 months, in 1956 for 6 months and 1 month in 2007. Last year it had its last 12 strokes because complex work are planned until 2021: the longest silence in its history however, Big Ben will continue to play on the most important national events. NOTTING HILL & PORTOBELLO ROAD In Notting hill there is a famous street called Portobello road. It is famous because there is a market where you can find all you want like bread, fruits, dresses and music things. The market is open all days. The neighborhood of Notting hill is famous also for its buildings printed with some fabulous colors. Its history started in 1800 but it became famous since 1950 with its market antiques. In 1958 there was an immigration of afro- caribeans and white peoplein London attacked them. The fabulous carnival of Notting hill defended them. CAMDEN TOWN Camden town is situated in north- west London. It’s an administrative Centre of the London borough of Camden. From the end of 1900 the economy had a growth thanks to the street markets. Since 1970 different street markets have been spreading in different parts of the district. In these markets tourists can find different article such as books, food and antiques. In the Regent’s canal, that runs in north of Camden Town, there are some raps that were used by people to help horses to come back on the ground after they fell into the water because of the noise of the trains that scared them. The Roundhouse is a formerlocomotive engine roundhouse constructed in 1847 for the London and North Western Railway. It later had various uses, including a corn and potato store, Gilbey’s gin warehouse. It was converted to a theatre, arts centre and music venue in 1966. NATURAL MUSEUM Natural Museum was built in 1870, by Richard Owen, but it was opened in 1881, here there are about 70 million archeological finds. Richard Owen, the founder, was a biologist and paleontologist. The museum is divided into 4 zones: RED ZONE, GREEN ZONE, BLUE ZONE and the ORANGE ZONE.  The red zone is dedicated to EARTH and FOSSILS, and the most important attraction in this zone is the STEGOSAURUS FOSSIL.  The green zone is dedicated to ECOLOGY, MARINE ANIMALS and PLANTS, and the most important attraction of this zone is the GIANT SEQUOIA, the BIGGEST TREE in the world.  The blue zone is dedicated to DINOSAURS, FISH, REPTILES and HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, and in this area the most popular attractions are the FOSSIL OF THE TYRANNOSAURUS AND STUFFED PANDA.  The last one is the orange zone, and the best attraction you can see in this zone is THE NATURAL GARDEN. BANKSY & THE NATURAL GALLERY Banksy is one of the most famous street- artists in the world. Banksy was born in the 70s in Bristol. He was born as a writer but then he adopted the stencil technique for his works. In 2005, Banksy entered in three of the most prestigious museum in New York and hung up painting modified by him. The national gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar square in the City of Westminster, in central London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2300 painting. The gallery was opened to the public in 1838. The collection belong to the British people and entry to the collection is free. The art collection in the gallery is divided into four sections, each dedicated to a particular historical period: - 1260- 1510= the SAINSBURY WING - 1520- 1600= the WEST WING - 1600- 1700= the NORTH WING - 1700- 1920= the EAST WING From the MIDDLE AGES to POST- IMPRESSIONISM Italian, Flemish, Dutch, Spanish, French and English art school. It has works by artists such as: GIOTTO, LEONARDO DA VINCI, CARAVAGGIO, RAFFAELLO, BRUEGEL, REMBRANDT, TURNER, RENOIR, VAN GOGH, VALASQUEZ and many others. THE TUBE It was the first world’s underground, began to work on the 10thof January 1863. At the beginning carriages were pulled by steam locomotives until the start of the 20th century. In war times, in 1940s, seventy- five stations let people to sleep and shelter from the German bomb raids, a lot of people died because some bombs exploded in the underground. Today the tube has got 12 linesand the undergroun trains run from 5.00 am to midnight. The tube has of course a lot of stations, 270 of them are still in function, but there are also around 40 stations which are no longer used to travel. The most popular underground stations are Waterloo, which is the most crowded one whit more 100 million passengers. King’s Cross St. Pancras, the second most crowded station because of the millions of tourist which go and take a picture with a wand and a scarf of the own Hogwarts house in front of the famous wall with the cart; then they go and buy something at the Harry Potter shop at PLATFORM 9¾. A ticket for a ride in the Centre of London costs £2, 40. THE ROYAL FAMILY  Queen Elizabeth II she has been the queen of the United Kingdom since 1952 and she is 92 years old.  Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, he is 97 years old (queen Elizabeth’s husband).  Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, he is 68 years old (heir to the throne).  Camille, duchess of Cornwall, she is 70 years old (wife of the Prince of Wales).  Prince William, duke of Cambridge, he is 35 years old.  Catherine, duchess of Cambridge, she is 36 years old (wife of Prince William).  Prince George of Cambridge, she is three years old (William and kate’s son).  Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, she is three years old (daughter of William and kate).  Prince Harry, he is 33 years old.  Megan Markle, she is 36 years old (girlfriend of Prince Harry).  Prince Andrew, duke of York, he is 57 years old (Queen Elizabeth and prince Philip’s son).  Princess Beatrice of York, she is 29 years old. VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM The V&A museum is located in south Kensington in London. The admission is free. You can find over 2,3 million object that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum holds many of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance. It was initially built in 1851. The foundation stone of the current building was laid by Queen Victoria in 1899. THE TATE The Tate a total of 4 British public museums 2 of which are located in London and one in Liverpool (Tate Liverpool) is another in St. Ives in Cornwall (Tate St. Ives).the Tate Britain was opened in 1897 under the name Nation Gallery of Arts; was renamed Tate Gallery in 1932. Every three years the Gallery prepares a tree year on contemporary British Art. Each year Tate Britain hosts an exhibition. British artists displayed and selected by a jury. The award is awarded in December by a famous guest. The Tate Modern is located in London in the area of bankside, it’s housed in a former power plant. THE CITY OF LONDON The city is the financial district of London, it has been given a second name. which is “Square Mile”. On weekends it’s almost like the streets are empty, and restaurants and bars are closed. There are only a few traces left of the past of the city, because of The Great Fire of 1666. 40 churches live in the city. You are able to see lots of buildings from the 80s and offices. Trere are very important areas and attraction, which are: Barbican, Temple Bar, Paternoster Square, the Bank of England. - BARBICAN: the Barbican is the city’s residential complex, its construction started in the 1970s. it was the only monument that survived the great fire of 1666. It was severely damaged by the fire, so, an architect named Cristopher Wren rebuilt the Temple.