Tower of London
★★★★☆
The Tower of London is a world-famous monument and one of England's most iconic structures.
The Tower has served as a royal palace, a notorious prison and place of execution, the home of the Royal Mint, a treasury, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England.
The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 on the banks of the River Thames.
It is an outstanding example of medieval military architecture and the most complete 11th-century fortress palace remaining in Europe.
Acting as a symbol of Norman power, the Tower served both as a fortress and a gateway to the capital.
The Tower of London, with all its later additions, was built around the White Tower.
The most significant expansions were made under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry the Third, and Edward the First in the 12th and 13th centuries.
A grand palace early in its history, the Tower has played a prominent role in English history.
It was besieged several times, and controlling it has been essential to controlling the country.
The castle has been the setting for key historical events, including the imprisonment of four English queens, three of them executed.
The Towers' present structure shows two curtain walls surrounding the White Tower.
The inner curtain has 13 towers, while the outer wall is surrounded by the moat, originally fed by the Thames but drained since 1843.
One of the notorious entrances to the Tower is the Traitors' Gate.
Traitors' Gate
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The gate was primarily used to bring prisoners into the Tower by boat, many of whom were accused of treason or other serious crimes.
The Crown Jewels are a major attraction at the Tower, where they have been kept since the 17th century.
Their presence serves as a reminder of the fortress's significant historical importance.
The Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.
Tower of London and the Thames
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Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, this historic castle is protected as a World Heritage Site.