Now that Colombians and Peruvians can more easily enter the United Kingdom, you may be very excited to travel and learn more about its cities. One of the most popular destinations is, precisely, its capital. But where to start? Something that can help you decide is to see some emblematic buildings in London.
At Global Connection we know very well the destinations we promote and we can tell you more about them.
That is why today we will show you five emblematic buildings in London so you can plan your visit to this city well.
Tower Bridge
One of London's iconic buildings is the city's most famous bridge: Tower Bridge, one of the bridges that crosses the River Thames. This bridge is one of the most important Victorian buildings in the country and has become a true emblem of the city.
The construction of the bridge began in 1886 and took [GC1] 8 years to complete. Construction went through five contractors who were in charge of different technical aspects of the bridge's operation. Finally, The bridge was inaugurated in June 1894, being one of the most advanced architectural and engineering pieces of its time.
The bridge today is steeped in history and remains a valuable symbol of British ingenuity and expertise.
But going through it is not the only thing you can do. Depending on the tower you are in, you can visit museums that show you both the history of the bridge's design and its operation., which makes it an experience full of new knowledge in one of the must-see places in London.
Westminster Abbey
Visiting Westminster Abbey is visiting part of the history of the United Kingdom, and that is why it is one of the emblematic buildings of London that you should visit in this city. This church was initially built in the year 960, however, the imposing Gothic structure that stands in Dean's Yard was built in the 13th century under the commission of King Henry III of England.
But as we said before, this church is an essential part of the history of England, as it has seen countless events of the British monarchy happen.
The first important event that took place in this place was the coronation of William the Conqueror after the victory of the Normans at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. From there All English monarchs have been crowned at the Abbey and it is expected that by May 2023 the new King Charles III will have his coronation at this site.
The church has also been the scene of large royal weddings that have been significant, such as the wedding between Elizabeth II and Philip of Edinburgh and, more recently, Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton.
In addition, The remains of almost all the monarchs of the United Kingdom and great personalities rest in the Abbey like Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin or Stephen Hawking.
For all this, Westminster Abbey is one of the emblematic buildings of London.
Buckingham Palace
And if we talk about British royalty, we cannot stop talking about the most important place for the entire United Kingdom: Buckingham Palace, the place that serves as the residence for the monarchy of this great kingdom.
This structure was inaugurated in 1829 and became the monarch's main residence since then. Although this palace became property of the crown in 1762 under the reign of George III and its adaptation as a royal palace began under the reign of George IV, It was not until 1837 that it became the residence of the monarch with the arrival of Queen Victoria.
The arrival of the crown to the heart of London meant a crucial change in the city's culture and the palace became a cultural and political epicenter. It also makes it a place where British people congregate to celebrate any holiday or national event. Besides, In recent years, the entrance to visitors has been opened so that they can see a good part of the great palace.
Royal Albert Hall
One of the most emblematic buildings in London that you can visit is the famous Royal Albert Hall theater. An impressive concert hall located in the South Kensignton neighborhood, a few blocks from Hyde Park.
This striking building began construction in 1867 under the reign of Queen Victoria. The building was built with the vision of Prince Albert, the queen's husband, in mind to be a place where science and the arts were concentrated in London. However, the prince died in 1861, a few years before construction of the theater began.
Queen Victoria decided to continue with the construction which culminated with its inauguration in 1871 and it was named Royal Albert Hall in honor of the late Prince Alebert.
Today the Royal Albert Hall is the most important concert hall in London, receiving more than 5,000 attendees at its events.. If you have the opportunity to attend an event held on this site, you will not be disappointed.
The Gherkin
But London is not only 19th century buildings that connect with the reconstruction of London under the reign of Queen Victoria. Modern buildings that are emblematic of the city also stand in the London landscape.
One of the best known is The Gherkin, a quite particular building that was one of the first skyscrapers of the 20th century to be built in the city. This building is known for its curious shape, as it looks like a giant glass pickle. The building replaced a group of Victorian buildings that were destroyed by an IRA attack in 1992.
The architect in charge of the design of this building was the popular architect Norman Foster, who has done more of his unique buildings in London such as City Hall and the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium.
After several years of planning to rebuild the area, the building began construction in 2001 and its inauguration was in 2004. And Swiss Re, a Swiss insurance firm, operates in its offices. And although the building cannot be accessed, it is worth visiting to see its curious shape.
So, if you travel to the United Kingdom, you can visit these iconic buildings in London so you don't miss a single place.
And if you are interested in traveling to take an English course in the United Kingdom, Contact us here.
