RO:
A treia si penultima zi
in Londra a inceput la Turnul Londrei, castel cu rol proeminent in istoria
Angliei, practic, un complex de cladiri, asezate in inele concentrice de ziduri
de aparare, cu sant. Constructia a inceput la 1066, in contextual cuceririi
normande a Angliei. Turnul alb, de la care isi trage denumirea intreg
edificiul, a fost construit la 1078, de catre William Cuceritorul si
dispretuit, ca simbol al oprimarii locuitorilor Londrei de catre noua elita
conducatoare. Constructia a fost extinsa succesiv, in principal in vremea
regilor Richard Inima de Leu, Henric al-III-lea si Edward I, in secolele
al-XII-lea si al-XIII-lea. A servit drept inchisoare, armurarie, trezorerie,
menajerie, sediu al Monetariei Regale, al bijuteriilor Coroanei, etc. M-au
impresionat mai ales menajeria, corbii din incinta si bijuteriile coroanei.
Menajeria dateaza din
perioada lui Henric al-III-lea, fiind colectia regala de peste 280 de
animale salbatice, din 60 de specii diferite (urs polar, elefant, lei, maimute,
leoparzi etc.), primite ca daruri diplomatice, fiind frecvente cazurile cand
unele dintre acestea atacau ingrijitorii sau vizitatorii.
Exista marturii care
sustin prezenta fantomelor in castel, inclusiv a fantomei lui Anne Boleyn,
decapitata in 1536 pentru tradarea lui Henric al-VIII-lea.
O alta atractie a
castelului sunt corbii imensi, cu penaj lucios. Se spune ca inca din anul 1078,
acestia sunt tinuti liberi la castel. Din vremea lui Carol al II-lea s-a inradacinat
credinta potrivit careia nenorociri s-ar fi abatut asupra Coroanei britanice daca
pasarile ar fi parasit Turnul. De atunci, corbii din Turnul Londrei, al caror
numar minim a fost fixat de catre Carol al II-lea, prin decret, la 6, se bucura
de un tratament regal. Pentru a se evita surprizele, numarul lor este acum de 7
(unul “de rezerva”). De hranirea si ingrijirea
lor se ocupa un Ravenmaster. Ca sa nu zboare li se taie extremitatile aripilor,
esentiale pentru zborul cu raza mare de actiune al inaripatelor negre.
Calitatea si varietatea hranei sunt excelente (meniul variaza de la o zi la
alta) si, ca atare, nu s-au inregistrat cazuri de tradare, corbii slujind
devotati Coroana. Inaripatele mananca 170g de carne cruda zilnic, plus biscuiti
speciali inmuiati in sange si pot ataca daca simt ca le este amenintat
teritoriul, deci nu va apropiati prea mult de ele!
A
doua oprire a fost la Tower Bridge, care leaga sudul si nordul orasului, peste
Tamisa, fiind in acleasi timp un pod mobil si unul suspendat. Noutatea este pasarela
cu podea de sticla transparenta din partea de sus, pe care turistii se pot
plimba si fotografia in voie.
Nu
puteam sa ratez Monumentul Marelui Incendiu din 1666, coloana construita in
stil Doric. Cei ce urca toate cele 311 trepte, care se ingusteaza spre varf, se
pot bucura de panorama orasului si de un certificat care sa le aminteasca de
experienta.
Am
trecut si pe la Science Museum, pentru a viziona o proiectie IMAX despre
mamuti.
La
stadionul Emirates, al echipei Arsenal, norocul m-a parasit, pentru ca era un
meci in plina desfasurare si nu se putea vizita, insa am trecut pe la statia
King’s Cross, pentru a vizita Platforma 9 si ¾ si magazinul Harry Potter.
Inutil sa mentionez ca era o coada interminabila de fani ai seriei care
asteptau sa se pozeze tinand de maner
faimosul cos cu “rechizite” al lui Harry.
Aici
se termina scurta mea aventura londoneza. Ultima dimineata am dedicat-o
cumparaturilor. Sper ca v-au placut fotografiile! Nu uitati sa cititi si
postarile precedente, despre prima
si a doua zi in Londra!
EN:
My
last (well, not exactly, but the next morning was spent shopping, so it doesn’t
count for sighseeing) day in London started off at the Tower of London,
historic castle that played a prominent role in English history. It is a
complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls
and a moat,
founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the name, was
built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a
resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite.
The castle was used as an armoury, prison, treasury, menagerie or public record
office.
I was particularly impressed by the Crown
jewels, the menagerie and the ravens. The menagerie was a royal collection of
animals received as diplomatic gifts (a polar bear, an elephant, lions,
leopards, apes), in total 280 animals from 60 different species. It was open
for visitor and there were cases of beasts attacking their caretakers and
visitors.
There are witnesses that claim the casle is haunted, to
include the ghost of Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against Henric VIII.
The legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if
the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress. It was Charles II who
first insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected. There are
seven ravens at the Tower today (the required six plus one spare), all having
one wing trimmed so they won’t go missing. These magnificent birds respond only
to the Raven Master and should not be approached too closely by anyone else. The
ravens eat 170g of raw meat a day, plus bird biscuits soaked in blood and they
can bite if they feel their territory is being threatened, so do not approach
them too closely!
The next stop was Tower Bridge, with
an iconic structure, spectacular views and glass floor, modern
exhibitions plus the Victorian Engine Rooms.
I couldn’t have missed the Monument,
a Doric column that commemorates the 1666 Great Fire of London. Upon climbing
the narrow winding staircase of 311 steps, you get to enjoy a panoramic view of
the city and receive a certificate once your feet hit the ground once more.
Next I made a stop at the Science
museum, to watch an IMAX documentary on mammals.
Upon arriving at Emirates, my luck was gone, because there
was a game in progress and, therefore, the stadium was not open for visitors. I
went to King’s Cross station instead, to visit the famous 9 ¾ platform and the
Harry Potter store. There was a huge line of fans waiting to take pictures with
Harry’s Hogwarts supplies.
I hope you enjoyed my brief London adventure! Don’t forget to
read parts
one and
two of my journey!
