Essentially, london tourist attractions
doubles as historical and a religious site with more than a thousand years of
history! The Abbey is a place of daily worship and the tradition started with
the Benedictine monks in middle of 10th century. It is important to
note that the history of Abbey as a coronation church started in 1066.
Moreover, Abbey is a historical site because it contains the remains of
seventeen monarchs, who were buried in the site. The complex holds valuable
treasures, artefacts and monumental sculptures.
Westminster
Palace History
Notably, King Edward the
Confessor initiated the construction of a monastery in 1050 and consecrated the
Norman Monastery in 1065. However, the only surviving part of the original
monastery is the Bayeux Tapestry. The construction of the rest part of the
Westminster Abbey started in 1245 when the reigning King at that time, Henry
III decided to incorporate the Gothic architecture. The construction ended in
ended in 1272.
Fundamentally, the places to visit in london underwent
through various modifications. In 1503, the architectures added the Chapel of
Henry VII and in 1745, added the West Front Towers. The latest addition of the
architecture is the North entrance. Currently, the Abbey holds various
components, and that is why it doubles up as a religious and historical site.
In fact, the landmark is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
Significant coronations of the
English and British monarchs took place at the Westminster palace. The
coronation takes place on the King Edward’s Chair, which is the throne used by
British and English sovereigns. The throne is used on every coronation since
1308. In addition, the abbey is the royal wedding venue, and significant royal
weddings took place in the Abbey. For instance, the union between Prince
William and Catherine Middleton took place in the Abbey in April 29, 2011.
Furthermore, the abbey is a
significant burial location for the noble. Aristocrats were buried inside the
chapels; monks were buried in the cloisters, and significant musicians and
poets were buried in Chaucer within the Westminster Abbey. The Abbey is also a
memorial site for various nobles and influential artists. After the 20th
century, most burial did not include the coffins. Rather only cremated remains
were buried because of the limited space.
One of the most significant things to do in london is to
take a tour in the Abbey and learn about the founder of the Abbey, Sir Edward,
the confessor. Tourists can also admire the Quire, which rests on the spot
where monks used to sit during worship. The entire tour around the abbey takes
approximately ninety minutes. Visitors can access most parts of the abbey without
paying any admission fee.
