Famous London buses against the backdrop of the British Parliament
The English extol law, placing it on par with religion. The state is undoubtedly wonderful: the greatest works of Shakespeare, the mysterious atmosphere of London, unique traditions observed within the preserved monarchy, draw tourists from all over the world.
For a trip to the UK, citizens of Ukraine need a visa, which takes about three weeks to obtain. Get a visa to the UK through a specialized agency by providing a standard package of documents: a valid passport and application form, income statements and proof of funds for the trip, confirmation of ties to your home country (documents on property and marital status), and hotel booking in the UK.
Like any other state, England holds its own history, consisting of periodic ups and downs, reforms and revolutions, but, as is known, the highest value of English life is the pursuit of stability. As for the political sphere, throughout entire eras the country adhered to a tendency of independent, self-sufficient existence, not involving warm trusting relations with other states. A self-sufficient powerful power with numerous colonies, with the unshakable force of the monarch at the head of government – that is the spirit of true Great Britain.
England is full of amazing sights, but today we will only focus on the most recognizable one – London's Big Ben. Officially it is called the Elizabeth Tower, but the first name has firmly stuck in the language of both locals and tourists. Big Ben is the largest of the six bells of the Palace of Westminster. The clock tower was founded in 1288 and looked completely different. After the devastating fire of 1834, the building was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style.
Revealing the secret of the unusual name, we should tell two most popular legends. One of them says that the name "Big Ben" was borrowed from a Briton named Benjamin who supervised the construction of the tower. Because of his large build, the man was nicknamed "Big Ben." The second version of the legend tells that the tower was named after the famous heavyweight boxer Benjamin Count.
The height of the tower reaches almost a hundred meters (to be precise, 96), which is equivalent to a 30-story building. Big Ben's clock, considered a standard of reliability, is the international time standard. The following fact is amazing: during World War II, German bombings damaged the roof of the tower and two dials, but the accuracy of the time shown did not suffer!
Every news broadcast in England begins with an image of Big Ben. 312 pieces of glass opal were used to make the clock dials, and huge steel frames and gilded disks were also created. The city's residents, who recognize punctuality to the highest degree, have made the tower a symbol of the capital. The maximum error allowed by the clock mechanism is two seconds per day.
The clock cannot be late, because its accuracy is checked by an English coin – a penny, and the entire process is controlled by the keeper. It is said that once they wanted to fire him because the clock was one second late. It was Big Ben that solemnly proclaimed the beginning of the 21st century. To the chime of the great clock, the people of Great Britain celebrate the New Year – this has become a mandatory tradition.
The building is indeed the most recognizable – its photograph can be found on tourist postcards, textbook covers, and souvenirs.
A tourist interested in the history of European states, wanting to learn detailed information about their history, culture, and unique traditions, will surely go to Great Britain. This state is truly unique, and London is its precious heart, bathed in eternal leisurely rain.