XV београдска гимназија

матурски рад из енглеског језикатема: Лондон

Ментор: Ученик:

Сања Ђорђевић , проф. Вања Башић IV/4

Београд, јун 2015.

Contents

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Introduction……………………………………………………. 3

History of London……………………………………………... 4

Architecture of London……………………………………….. 6

Landmarks…………………………………………………….. 7

Culture ……………………………………………………….... 11

London areas and transport ……………………………………. 15

Conclusion …………………………………………………….. 16

Literature ………………………………………………………. 17

Introduction

Welcome to the royal city, which is one of the biggest cultural centers of Europe.

Why the name London? It is an ancient name, recorded as Londonium, which points to Roman-British origin. Some belive that the name came from a supposed king Lud

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who had allegedly taken over the city and named it Kaerlud. Anothers belive that the name was of Celtic origin and that it ment “place belonging to man called Londinos”, but this explanation is rejected. The name London was used only for the City of London before 19th centuary but since then it has also been used for Country of London and City of London.

London is among the most important cities in the world in many areas. One of the most important political, educational, cultural, commercional, tourist, financial, fashion, sports centers in the world.

I chose London because it combines traditional with modern. Preserved tradition is reflected in the architecture: palaces, museums, business buildings… and the queen. Modern is based on the way people think, dress and how fast they can adjust to changes.

History of London

London, the primary city and capital of the United Kingdom, has a history dating back over 2,000 years. It has experienced plague, devastating fire, civil war, aerial bombardment, and terrorist attacks. The City of

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London is its historic core. London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans in the 1st century.

Early Roman London occupied a relatively small area, roughly equivalent to the size of Hyde Park. The first major settlement was founded by the Romans after the invasion of 43 AD. This only lasted until around 61AD, when the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica stormed it, burning it to the ground. With the collapse of Roman rule at the beginning of the 5th century, Londinium was abandoned. By the 7th century, the Angles and Saxons founded the new settlement called Lundenwic. It had revived sufficiently to become a major port, until the Viking invasions. They forced its inhabitants to move to the east, back to the Roman city of Londinium so they could take advantage of its walls for protection. The Viking rule ended when Alfred the Great re-conquered London in 886. The original Saxon settlement Lundenwic became Eldwic, and place exists even today and its located in the city of Westminister. In some ways, the medieval history of London can be said to have begun on Christmas Day 1066, when William The Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, was crowned king of England in a ceremony at the newly finished Westminster Abbey, one of the grandest churches in Europe. By the 11th century, London was beyond all comparison the largest town in England. Winchester had previously been the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, but from this time on, London became the core of trade for foreign traders and the base for defence in time of war. In order to intimidate the native inhabitants, William constructed the Tower of London, the first of the many Norman castles in England to be rebuilt in stone, in the southeastern corner of the city. In 1097., William II began the building of Westminster Hall, close by the abbey of the same name. The hall became the basis of a new Palace of Westminster. In the mid-14th century, disaster struck during the “Black Death”, when London lost nearly a third of its population. That caused the “Peasants revolt” or the “Great Rising” in 1381. During the Tudor period London became the principal North Sea port with migrants arriving from England and abroad.

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In the early 17th century, London was plagued by disease called “Great Plague” (1665-1666), which killed up a fifth of the population. “The Great Fire of London” broke out in 1666. in Pudding Lane in the city and it destroyed the wooden buildings. Rebuilding took over 10 years and was supervised by Robert Hook as Surveyor of London. London was the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925. London was bombed by the Germans during the First World War while during the Second World War the “Blitzkrieg” or lightning war and other bombing by the German Luftwaffe killed over 30,000 Londoners and destroyed the city. Immediately after the war, the 1948 Summer Olympics were held at the original Wembley Stadium. In the 1950’s they defeated the smog in the air, and from the 1950’s onwards in London settled many immigrants making London one of the most diverse cities in Europe. In the decades after the II World War Londons population declined from 8,6milion in 1939 to around 6,8 milion in 1980.

London became a center for worldwide young culture. To celebrate the start of the 21st century, the Millennium Dome, London Eye and Millennium Bridge were constructed.

London is the capital city of England and United Kingdom. It is the seat of central government in Britain. It is urban zone and metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. London stands on the River Thames and it has been a major settlement for over 2 millennia.

Architecture of London

The diversity of London begins with its architecture. The city features an abundance of historic buildings, but at the same time keeps up with the latest trends in modern structures. However, most tourists are more interested in the old buildings, especially since six of London’s

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most significant cultural landmarks received international recognition and were given the status of World Heritage Sites.

The Tower of London, Kew Gardens, St Margaret’s Church, Westminister Abbey, the Palace of Westminster and Maritime Greenwich.

The Tower of London, which was built in 1100 by William the Conqueror, is a fine example of the capital’s Medieval architecture. In London you will find many examples of other styles, many times right next to each other. The Gothic style is exemplified in the architecture of the Westminster Abbey, which was erected in the 13th Century during the reign of Henry III. The Tudor style is represented by the Hampton Court Palace and, to an extent, by the reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, which was originally built in the early 1600s and represented the English Vernacular style of the day, but was slightly modified due to the renovation. In the 17th Century, Inigo Jones introduced yet another style to the British architecture − the Palladian style.

In 1666, after the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city, authorities reacted immediately and appointed Christopher Wren to design and oversee the rebuilding of the fifty-one burnt-down churches. Most of these churches, especially St Paul’s Cathedral, which was Wren's masterpiece, were built in the English Baroque style with the characteristic intricate ornamentation and curved lines. In the early 19th Century, English Baroque was replaced by the Regency style which left its trace on many a building throughout central London. Although new styles kept appearing, the old ones weren't entirely forgotten. Gothic architecture, for example, saw its revival with the construction of the Houses of Parliament.

Landmarks

London being as big as it is has a particulary large number of landmarks. Most knowledgeable ones are: London Eye, Big Ben,

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Buckingham palace, The British Museum, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Wembley stadium…

London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South bank of the river Thames in London. It is currently Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, and offer the highest public viewing point in London. It is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK with over 3,5milion visitors anually.

London Eye

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock of the north and of the Palace of Westminister in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The clock has become a symbol of the UK particularly in the visual media.

Big Ben

Tower Bridge is combined bascule and suspension bridge in London which crosses the river Thames. It is close to the Tower of London

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and has become an iconic symbol of London.

Tower Bridge

Tower of London is historic castle located on the north bank of the Thames.

Tower of London

Trafalgar Square is a public place and tourist attraction in central London, it is situated in the city of Westminister. In its center is Nelson’s Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. The square is used for political demonstrations and gatherings such as celebration of New Year’s Eve. The name commemorates the battle of Trafalgar.

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Buckingham palace

Sea Life London Aquarium

Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the Queen, is open to visitors when the Queen is on vacation. The Palace is also the home of the infamous Changing of the Guard. Arrive early to watch the new soldiers replace the old soldiers in the forecourt of the Palace in their bright red uniforms and bearskin hats.

Built after the Great Fire of 1666 and surviving the Blitz of WWII, St. Paul's Cathedral has been dominating the city skyline for quite some time. After taking in the majesty and size of the building extend your view of London by climbing the 530 steps to the top of the dome.

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kew gardens St. Margareth’s Church

Palace of Westminster

Culture10

London is a world cultural capital, it has endless activities to enjoy (museums and art galleries, theaters, sport events, fairs, festivals and carnivals, music concerts, literature).

Literature fans might be curious to know that London has been an important centre of literature, both as a setting for many plots and as the home to many famous writers. Charles Dickens, wrote novels that painted a foggy and grim picture of the city which has had a major influence on how it was perceived by the people of the early Victorian period. Also, William Shakespeare, the most renowned British writer, and Ben Jonson, one of his contemporaries and a fellow playwright, spent most of their lives living and working in London. Ben Jonson's ‘The Alchemist’, one of his most distinguished plays, is set in London.

London is home to the major global music corporation EMI, countless bands, industry professionals and musicians, and is one of the major popular and classical music capitals of the world. There is a great variety of venues that organise rock and pop concerts, including large arenas such as Wembley Arena and Earls Court.

Wembley arena

The city and its surroundings have given rise to many icons and pop artists − world-famous stars such as Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley and Freddie Mercury lived in London at some point in their lives.

Other famous musicians and groups closely connected with the city are Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Maiden and Elvis Costello and many more. As Britain’s largest urban arena, London has played a key role in the development of the urban and electronic music genres, such as UK garage, drum and bass, grime and dubstep.

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Classical music can be heard in the two major opera houses in London: the Royal Opera House and the Coliseum Theatre. Admirers of high art will also appreciate the splendid performances of the English National Ballet and the Royal Ballet, both performing in the beautiful interiors of the Royal Albert Theatre, the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

The British capital has played an important role in the development of the film industry. The major film studios, Elstree, Shepperton, Pinewood and Leavesden, specialise in post-production and special effects and are among the best film studios in Europe. Not to mention the fact that London is the setting of many international films which have contributed significantly to the image and reputation that London boasts world-wide. The London Film Festival presents the most interesting pictures from around the world and takes place each October.

Alongside Paris, Milan and New York, London is one of the four important fashion centers. Many top world designers have their workshops and boutiques here, attracting both the clients, who look for unique and extravagant wear, and the young talents, who want to try their luck in the fashion industry. The international London Fashion Week, in particular, is a magnet to all fashion buffs.

The city of London hosts a number of fairs, festivals and carnivals throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Notting Hill Carnival, which is the second largest Afro-Caribbean carnival in the world. It takes place over the weekend on a bank holiday in August and attracts nearly one million people each time.

Other colourful parades are held on St Patrick’s Day and St George’s Day.

The National Gallery, which holds the British National collection of Western Art, is by many considered the most notable. Major collections of pre-20th Century art are to be found in the Courtauld Gallery, the Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Wallace Collection. British art of the 20th and the 21st Centuries is displayed in Tate Modern, while earlier works are

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exhibited in Tate Britain. The Portrait Gallery hosts a major collection devoted to distinguished British people from all historical periods. And if you are interested in contemporary art, visit the Saatchi Gallery, White Cube or the ICA.

There is 240 museums in the city. Among the most significant are the British Museum, with antiquities from all over the world, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the Science Museum, the Museum of London and the National Maritime Museum.

London has hosted the Summer Olympics three times. London's most popular sport is football and it has fourteen League football clubs, including six in the Premier League.

One of London's best-known annual sports competitions is the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, held at the All England Club in the south-western suburb of Wimbledon.

Like many large cities, London is in some ways untypical of the rest of the country in that it is so cosmopolitan. Allthough all the Britain’s cities have some degree of cultural and racial variety, the variety is by far the greatest in London. A survey carried out in the 1980’s found that 137 different languages were spoken in the homes of just one district.

Royal Opera House Natural History Museum

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Imperial War Museum

London areas and transport

Two well known areas of London are West End and East End.

The former is an area of Central London and is known for its many theatres, cinemas, and expensive shops. The latter is known as the poorer

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residential area of central London. It is the home of the Cockney and in the twentieth century large numbers of immigrants settled there.

There are many other parts of central London which have their own distinctive characters, and central London itself makes up only a very small part of Greater London.

The majority of “Londoners” live in its suburbs, millions of them travelling into the centre each day to work. These suburbs cover a vast area of land.

London has the oldest and second longest metro system in the world called the London Underground or the Tube. London's bus network is one of the largest in the world and the distinctive red double-decker buses are an internationally recognised trademark of London transport along with black cabs, also known as a hackney carriage. Cycling is also becoming more and more popular as a way to get around London.

London cab

London double decker

Conclusion

London is combination of infinite cultural variety and a long history which has left many visible signs of its richness and drama.

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I hope that i will be able to visit London in near future, this fascinating city that will continue to grow and evolve. I’m looking forward to catch a glimpse of beautiful historical monuments as well as modern architecture.

Until then I will continue to expend my knowledge and research about my favorite city.

Literature

1. “The London Encyclopaedia” by Christopher Hibbert, 20082. Opportunities Pre-Intermediate Michael Harris, 2000

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3. https://vk.com/doc205286944_324820750? hash=cbc11c7d82b8923433&dl=df73646e4aff6af37e

4. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue/london 5. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/346821/London 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London

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