The fortress is one of the oldest structures in England and one of the most visited attractions in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tower was founded in the second century as part of the city’s fortifications and was later completed and fortified by William I and Richard the Lionheart. Nowadays there is a museum in the Tower, an armory with the Crown Jewels and historic monuments.

The Tower of London has become a symbol not only of London but of the whole of Great Britain. It occupies a special place in British history, so now the Tower is one of the most visited architectural and historical sites in the world.

The Tower is essentially a fortress. It stands on the north bank of the River Thames and is one of the oldest buildings in England and the historical center of London. The history of this fortress is mixed: originally it was built as a defensive castle, and then it served as a zoo, a mint, an arsenal, a prison, an observatory and a repository of royal treasures.
The size of the Tower is 32 by 36 meters with towers 30 meters high.

History of the Tower

The Tower was built in 1078, and in 1190 in the fortress was imprisoned the first prisoner. Only 7 executions were carried out in this prison for dignitaries and monarchs, the victims included Henry VIII’s wives Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard and the “Queen of Nine Days” Jane Grey. From its early years, the Tower began to develop all sorts of rumors and legends, sometimes very sinister. Some of them can be heard during tours of this famous fortress.

Museum

Today the Tower of London looks much as it did in the 11th century. Its primary purpose is as a museum with a rich collection and armoury, holding the treasures of the British Crown. Officially, the fortress continues to be considered one of the royal residences. There are several private apartments, where the staff and sometimes high guests reside. The Tower offers guided tours, where the guides serve as bifiters – English guards. They are dressed in dark blue Victorian-era uniforms, and on holidays, in lavish Tudor-era costumes, which adds to tourists’ interest in the fortress.

Events at the Tower

In addition to the traditional tour of the exhibits and interiors in the Tower, you can have some fun: for example, from December 27 to 31 there is a celebration of the New Year in medieval costume. King Richard III, knights, and minstrels greet tourists. Even if you don’t know how to skate, don’t miss the opportunity to have fun at the Tower Rink. People come here both in the morning, as a fitness at the beginning of the day, and in the evening, when you want romance: the fortress is illuminated by lights that are reflected in the ice. Rink works from November 17 to January 2, tickets cost from 10.5 to 14.5 EUR.