Tower Of London

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By Med | May 8, 2006

The Tower of London is a landmark in central London—in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets — just outside the City of London.

Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, the Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous and spectacular fortresses — it attracts over 2.5 million tourists every year.

The Tower of London has a long and often bloody past, making this fortress one of the most famous medieval structures in the world. After the Norman Invasion, William the Conqueror began construction of the White Tower.

This tower became the most awesome and frightening building the Anglo-Saxons had ever seen. The tower was improved throughout successive centuries to extend the towers and build walkways. Hundreds were imprisoned in the tower, names of whom can be viewed in the Book of Prisoners.

The headless ghost of Anne Boleyn, the ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh and others who died here are said to haunt the tower. The famous Crown Jewels are housed in the Tower of London.

Today the Tower houses the Crown Jewels and the Royal Armouries. It is permanently guarded by the Yeoman Warders who are traditionally called Beefeaters and is home to a colony of Ravens whose presence, according to legend, guards England from invasion.

The City London Tower and Tower Bridge

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