Fortress Tower, an old prison, which has long been the object of pilgrimage for numerous tourists. Tens of thousands of travelers come to London every year to see the Tower.
This unique building is an extremely popular symbol of Great Britain and holds a special place of honor in English history. Fortress Tower is located in the historical part of the city on the banks of the Thames.
In the past, the Tower was a prison for a long time. But history also remembers the time when the building was used as a fortress, arsenal, mint, zoo and even a royal castle.
Against the background of the huge skyscrapers surrounding it, the Tower looks like a toy, but there was a time when these "cute turrets" inspired primitive fear on the local population. The very thought of being in the dungeons of the castle led to indescribable horror even the most fearless citizen!
History of the Tower - Who were the dungeons for?
Once upon a time (historians date the events described in 1066) a Roman fort was located on this place. Then the wooden structure was dismantled, and a square stone building was erected in its place. It was called the White Tower. The city expanded rapidly, and poor neighborhoods began to grow around. The king did not put up with this circumstance (noble people generally do not like close proximity to commoners) and moved to Westminster Palace.
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In 1190, the first prisoner gets into the fortress, and it turns into a prison for the nobility. At one time, disgraced priests, French and Scottish kings, members of their families and many other dignitaries visited here. In these dungeons, the Duke of Orleans spent 25 years of his life until he was ransomed for a fabulous sum by his relatives. King Henry the Sixth was mercilessly strangled here, the sons of Edward the Fourth here disappeared without a trace, and the youth of Elizabeth the First was greatly overshadowed by several terrible weeks spent here.
the fortresses of prisoners were actively beheaded for almost seven centuries. In 1747, the last official execution took place in the fortress.
During the First and Second World Wars, spies from Germany languished in the towers. In 1952, the famous Cray gangsters became the last prisoners of these dark walls.
Peaceful Tower
When John Landless came to power, the new ruler shared his power with parliament. As a result, the Tower changed its status and became a zoo. Here the king kept the lions. His follower John Henry III replenished the menagerie with a leopard, an elephant and a polar bear.
Previously, animals entertained only the king and his retinue. But already during the reign of Elizabeth the First, the Tower became a public zoo, which could be visited by anyone wishing to gaze at wild animals. In 1830, the Tower Menagerie was closed and the animals were transported to the central London Zoo.
For a long time, the Royal Treasury has been kept within these walls, and the famous meat-eaters Yomen Warder live with their families on the territory of the former fortress. The protection of the jewels is entrusted to the royal guards. Anyone can watch the changing of the guard.
Modern Tower
Each visitor to the Tower is greeted by a guard in a beefeater uniform. In the old days, guards of this rank led the accused inside through the "Gate of Traitors".
Modern guards are more loyal, but they do not lose their vigilance. After all, royal values are kept here: the English crown, scepter and the world's largest diamond - the Star of Africa (Cullinan I).
In addition to human guards, there are bird guards in the fortress. The Tower has many symbols, and one of them is the black crow. According to legend, if a flock of ravens leave the fortress, terrible adversity will fall on the whole of Great Britain.
Along with all their numerous traditions, the inhabitants of England sacredly cherish this legend, continue to believe in it and keep several ravens with clipped wings in the adjacent territory so that they do not fly away. True, black birds are not going to leave this place - they are fed too well here. After all, birds are pampered here not only with beef, but even with rabbit meat! By the way, every local raven has its own name and pedigree.
According to legend, there should be six birds in total, but thrifty British keep seven - just in case of fire. There are also seven bird houses. So that the birds do not need anything, a special position has been introduced in the Tower, which is called the palace keeper of ravens.
You can get acquainted with the detailed history of the Tower in its museum. At the place of executions (which is called Tower Hill) there is a monument with a plaque, where the names of the ruined monarchs are indicated.
Interesting facts about the Tower
Tower Ghosts have a fascinating history. The appearance of local ghosts is not denied even by some very authoritative scientists! Some unknown entities repeatedly hit the camera lenses. No wonder young people come here in unlimited numbers during Halloween.
The key ceremony is one of the most famous traditions of the Royal Fortress. It runs daily at 21:53, and was only once delayed by half an hour during an enemy raid in 1941. To see the key ceremony, send a letter in advance and wait for an invitation.
Despite the fact that the Tower is a royal residence, so it is officially considered, at present there are apartments here where distinguished guests can live or where the servants live.