UK sights as part of the nation's cultural heritage

ДОСТОПРИМЕЧАТЕЛЬНОСТИ ВЕЛИКОБРИТАНИИ

Прокопенко Мария Геннадьевна

студент, Белгородский государственный национальный исследовательский университет, РФ, г. Белгород

Шемаева Елена Викторовна

научный руководитель, доцент, Белгородский государственный национальный исследовательский университет, РФ, г. Белгород

When learning a foreign language, it is very important not only to have a large vocabulary and know grammatical rules, but also to immerse yourself in the history of the country where the language is being studied. Great Britain is a large country, with a rich history and culture. Where, if not in the sights, is this country's past, its greatness and beauty hidden?

Most of the truly majestic and mysterious places are in the heart of the United Kingdom - London.

When it comes to the symbols of England, the famous London landmark Big Ben is immediately presented. Many people think that this is the name of the clock tower in London, but that is actually the name of the thirteen-tone bell that is inside it, behind the dial. Big Ben is the largest of the six bells in Westminster Palace. The Clock Tower was built in Westminster in 1288 and had a very different appearance at the time. In 1834 there was a fire, after which Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin restored Big Ben and now it appears in the neo-gothic style [2]. The next equally popular attraction is Westminster Abbey. It is not only the largest church in London, but also the center of state life in the country. 38 monarchs were crowned here, starting with William the Conqueror, who became King of England on Christmas Day 1666, i.e. all monarchs except Edward V, murdered in 1483, and Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936. Who does not know the Tower of London? A fortress that has a history of almost 1000 years. The Tower has been both a fortress and royal residence, an observatory, a zoo, a mint and a prison. The latter has made it a notorious historical point. Next to the Tower of London is the Tower Bridge, a drawbridge across the River Thames, which is rightly considered one of London's majestic symbols. It is named after the nearby Tower of London, the place where prisoners were held. The northern part of the crossing was just on the corner of the prison. It continues along the wall of the Tower. It is therefore a mistake to think that the first people to walk on the crossing were London's aristocrats. After all, they were actually prisoners [1].

Truly, the most beautiful structure of Buckingham Palace is the residence of British monarchs in London. It was founded in 1703 and was named after its original owner, the Duke of Buckingham. Today Elizabeth II lives and works there. The palace is full of life: receptions and events of national importance are held there. The peace of the royal family is guarded by the Guards - their bright red outfits can be seen from afar.

One of the most famous religious buildings in the world is Stonehenge. A huge number of legends and myths are dedicated to its ancient megaliths. It is located in the center of the Salisbury Plain in southern England. There is hardly another structure in the world that has kept its secrets for as many years as the stone circle in Salisbury Plain. It can only be said with certainty that Stonehenge was a Mesolithic cult building and burial place, and that its name comes from the Old English «stanhen gist» - «hanging stones» [1]. Many people have probably heard about Loch Ness Lake, because it is rumored to be where the famous monster lives. It is 230 meters deep and covers an area of 65 kilometers square. In addition, the lake is part of a canal that connects the two coasts of Scotland. The canal is called the Caledonian, and there is even a theory that the Loch Ness Monster moves from lake to canal, which is why it is so hard to catch it. Stories about the Loch Ness monster date back to 565, and there have been some references to it before. So it is no surprise that lovers of everything mysterious and supernatural come to this water body.

No less strange and ancient is the area in north-eastern Ireland. More than 60 million years ago, the primordial elements pushed one of Europe's most famous natural wonders out of the depths of the earth: 40,000 basalt columns called the Road of Giants. The Giant Road is one of the most beautiful places on our planet. It is located near the town of Bushmis on the north-eastern coast of Ireland. This section of the sea consists of several thousand basalt columns, which have the correct hexagonal shape, reach 12 meters in height and 50 centimeters across. They are positioned vertically and are driven into the ground so tightly that even a thin knife blade will not pass between them. If you look at this section of the coast from above, it feels like it's completely barred. The three-dimensional design plan is an image of a huge springboard with cascades of faceted steps towards the sea [2]. The Madame Tussauds Museum, located in the fashionable Marylebone district, is deservedly considered one of the symbols of the British capital, along with Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower and others. It is also called a «landmark with a human face». To be more precise, with a thousand faces - by the number of wax figures of famous figures of different epochs, including those who live now. The halls of Madame Tussauds is always a place for rising stars in politics or art. As a result, in answering the question: «Where is the country's past, its majesty and beauty hidden?», we came to the indisputable conclusion: the sights are the most striking example of English culture and history, through the knowledge of which one can come to an understanding of the way of life of the English themselves and to a perfect command of English.