Who shot down the Chebarkul meteorite. Chelyabinsk Meteorite
Dover Castle is a giant fortification located between France and England on the shores of the Pas de Calais Strait.
Among the castles in Great Britain, this castle ranks first in the history of its existence. Many legends belong to Dover, because for a long time The castle served as the residence of royal families.
The strategically advantageous location of the castle on the island gave it the right to be the “key to England.”
The castle was built around the beginning of our era (pre-Roman era) on an ancient promontory that was much higher than the city. Proof of this is the discovery of a prehistoric Iron Age ditch protecting Dover Castle from attack.
In 43 AD e. the island was settled by the Romans and Dover developed as a Roman port. For this they built two lighthouses, one of which can still be seen today.
In 1043, the partially fortified cape was settled by the Anglo-Saxons, then Harold II, having spent one week adding new fortifications to the castle, built the Church of St. Mary of Castro, which is also preserved to this day.
Between 1179 and 1188 Henry II, nicknamed Shortcoat, under the leadership of the architect Maurice, completely began rebuilding the castle. He spent his entire annual income (6,300 pounds sterling) on strengthening it.
For that time the castle was very well equipped. Water pipes and latrines were built into the walls, each royal bedroom had an individual fireplace, and two large spiral staircases connected the floors. The castle had two chapels, including one that belonged to Henry.
With great skill, the king placed fourteen towers around the castle, a pair of which protected the Palace Gate (King's Gate). In terms of the number and scale of towers, no castle could compare with Dover.
After Henry's death, Richard I and John the Landless took over the construction work.
By order of John, new outbuildings and fortifications were erected in 1204. Today, what tourists can see at the site of these fortifications are only reconstructions of the 20th century.
In the 18th century, when the Napoleonic Wars began, the question arose about the location of soldiers and weapons. Then, at a depth of 15 meters, special tunnels were cut inside the rocky rock, in which the soldiers’ barracks were placed.
In 1803, at the peak of the Napoleonic Wars, more than 2,000 soldiers lived in these tunnels. In 1826, the tunnels were abandoned for approximately a hundred years.
In 1939, the tunnels served as an air-raid shelter, and later it was converted into a hospital. And in 1940, Admiral Bertram Ramsey carried out Operation Dynamo to evacuate French and English troops from the underground tunnels of Dover Castle.
Later, the tunnels were planned to be used as a bomb shelter, but due to their poor condition, the plan was not implemented.
Nowadays, Dover Castle is a huge museum where tourists from all over the world come to experience the era of the reign of the English kings.
And also, see another wonder of Dover - the chalk cliffs, which are visible for many miles from open sea, their dazzling whiteness was the first sign of approaching England for many generations of sailors.
Roksolyan
(England, West Midlands)
Dover Castle
Roksolyan’s previous story about traveling around England:
Let's continue our travels around the UK. I always wanted to visit Dover and Dover Castle, but never had the opportunity. Dover Castle is a medieval castle in Dover, Kent. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its significance in history. True, I was in Dover, but this does not count, since it was always a passage on a ferry across the English Channel to Europe. And this opportunity finally presented itself.
And it was like this. Since my husband and I are members of English Heritage (I already wrote about this), we always go to the beginning tourist season in the spring they send a bunch of booklets with a cultural program to given year. So this spring they sent us a program of all the events in the castles that are under the auspices of English Heritage. Therefore, when I found this in the program interesting event as the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo: Dunkirk Anniversary Weekend Sat 29 - Mon 31 May and where - at Dover Castle, I had no doubt - I had to go.
More information Here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/operation-dynamo-dc/ , and also herehttp://www.britishheritagepass.com/Dover_Castle There is, however, one more moment - during the Great Patriotic War Both my grandfathers died on its fronts and I, of course, never saw them. And, apparently, that’s why somewhere at the genetic level I avoid everything about war.
But then I couldn’t resist - and here we are on the road. We left on Saturday morning in order to slowly get to Dover, and we are not close to it, spend the night at a hotel along the way, and on Sunday morning arrive at Dover Castle and see everything in a day, then spend the night in Dover at a hotel and on Monday (luckily Bank Holiday) to take my son home from university in London for the holidays after a successful first year at university. I think mothers of students will understand me.
On the way, we decided not to get to Dover, but to look for a hotel before Dover - for fear that Bank Holiday, 3 days off and that there might simply be no room in Dover. One hotel, the second, the third - there are no places, and where there are places we don’t want. I was already starting to panic, but then an idea struck my husband - shouldn’t we spend the night in the car? But I didn’t care anymore - in the car, in the car. Although I was not ready for such a turn - after all, they thought it was a hotel, so there were no suitable clothes, no bedding - none of that. But hope dies last - and we went to buy a mattress for the car, as well as pillows - although we already have all this at home. Then I struggled with choosing a place to sleep in the car - I said, whatever you want, I won’t sleep by the road when cars are passing and making noise.
And so we drove around for a long time, choosing a suitable place to spend the night. Finally we chose a wonderful place somewhere between Folkestone and Dover: quiet, nearby the sea, dead-end road, i.e. There were no cars there at all. There was only a strong wind and fog. The fog is such that I remembered the cartoon “Hedgehog in the Fog”, so I told it to my husband - he doesn’t know. I was also glad that, in view of the fact that we were taking our son from university for the summer with all his belongings + computer, we went big car husband's, not mine. My husband’s car is a family car, but mine, as my husband says, even a toothbrush won’t fit in the trunk.
We settled down quite comfortably for the night - removing the rear seats in the car and spreading out the purchased mattress and pillows. Personally, I fell asleep immediately, but my husband... did not. But the whole point is that I am a tourist of the USSR, even though such a country has not existed for a long time, but I will always remain a tourist of the USSR, I even still have all the crusts.
In the morning, my husband woke me up (otherwise I would have continued to sleep) and said so enviously - yes, you don’t care if you sleep on a clothesline. But he’s not a tourist in the USSR, so he wandered around in the fog for almost the whole night. Having quickly reached Dover in the morning, we immediately went to look for a hotel for the next night. And we immediately found what we wanted. I don’t know whether it was too early, or just plain luck. Having completed all the necessary papers for settlement, we immediately went to Dover Castle, especially since it was already close to 10 am - opening time. From the hotel to the castle it was about 2 minutes by car, or maybe less, well, very close, you can walk, but it’s very uphill.
View of Dover Castle from the city side
And now we are already standing in line for tickets at the entrance to the castle.
I was also surprised how many people were interested either in the castle or in the upcoming celebration. And it’s morning, it’s not even 10 am, and the castle isn’t open yet. I can imagine what a line there was after us. And here is a view of the city from the castle - while we were standing in line.
While we are standing in line, it’s time to tell us what events happened 70 years ago.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk. After rapid progress German troops During the Battle of France, French and British soldiers became trapped in a small pocket around Dunkirk. It is believed that between 26th May and 5th June 1940, over 300,000 soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk to Britain (approximately 200,000 British and 110,000 French). The Dunkirk operation (Operation Dynamo or Dunkirk evacuation) was an operation to evacuate by sea English, French and Belgian units blockaded after the Battle of Dunkirk near the city of Dunkirk during World War II.
After the breakthrough of the Maginot Line on May 10, 1940 and the surrender of the Netherlands on May 15, German command expanded its success by capturing the ports of Calais and Boulogne. Units of the British Expeditionary Force under the command of Lord Gort, French units and formations that were part of the 16th Corps, and the remnants of the Belgian troops were blocked in the area of the city of Dunkirk. Under these conditions, on May 26, Churchill’s cabinet and the British Admiralty decided to evacuate their units to British Isles. * And here you can watch a video about the events of those years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKB-ZkWelb0
And now we are already in the castle. The whole castle was one set - everything was transformed to suit the events of those years, i.e. 70 years ago.
I also really wanted to visit the secret tunnels under Dover Castle, where during the war wounded soldiers found shelter (infirmary), something like the catacombs in Odessa or the casemates at Vysehrad in Prague. During World War II in 1939, the underground tunnels were converted first into an air-raid shelter and then later into a military command center and underground hospital. In May 1940, Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey, from his headquarters in the tunnels, directed the evacuation of French and British soldiers from Dunkirk. A military telephone exchange was installed in 1941
and served as an underground headquarters. The switchboards were constantly in use and had to create a new tunnel nearby to provide space for the batteries and chargers necessary to maintain their functioning. The Navy used the exchange to have direct communication with ships, as well as to have an air rescue capability at sea to pick up pilots shot down in the Straits of Dover. Later the tunnels were to be used as a shelter for the Regional Government Seats in the event of a nuclear attack. This plan was abandoned for various reasons, including the realization that the chalk of the cliffs would not provide significant protection from radiation, and because of the awkward shape of the tunnels and their generally poor condition. *
Therefore, upon entering the castle, we immediately signed up for an excursion to the underground tunnels. And now the appointed time has come. It was not possible to take photographs with the guide, but after the tour we had free time already without a guide, where it was already possible to take photographs. And one of the resulting ones is the infirmary.
We were also in the operating room, but there we were with a guide and were not allowed to take pictures. What amazed me was how lovingly and accurately the events of those years were reproduced down to the smallest detail - interior details, medical instruments, furniture, and even people in clothes of that time. And somewhere, after an hour of climbing through the tunnels, we finally got out, okay - fresh air, the sea is nearby.
And after a quick snack in a nearby cafe, we rush to see the Great Tower of King Henry II, i.e. medieval castle.
So many interesting things, but so little time.
Dover Castle is primarily a large medieval fortress created by King Henry II and his successors. At its heart is a mighty watchtower or Great Tower, 83 feet (25.3 m) high and 100 feet (30 m) square at the base, with walls up to 21 feet (6.5 m) thick. It was built between 1180 and 1185 during the reign of Henry II. A symbol of royal power, it was also a palace designed for royal ceremonies, and it also provided housing for the royal court during travel. Inside this magnificent palace, Henry was able to greet and impress the notables of the day and pilgrims who visited England.
It’s a pity, there was not enough time to examine the medieval monuments,
One of the oldest and largest in terms of territory, Dover Castle first appeared in chronicles through the efforts of the Norman historian William of Poitiers. These were the lines about how William the Conqueror went to the castle held by the English. They were terrified of his approach.
The defenders of England lost confidence that their own strength and the power of the fortifications would be enough for them. But while they were considering whether to surrender or not, the greedy conquerors set fire to Dover, where they stayed for eight days.
At all times the castle had strategic importance . Its location in the Pas-de-Calais Strait invariably attracted the attention of all who marched with a sword against Britain. This means that he inevitably passed through these places, making his way through the territory of Kent County.
For almost two thousand years, Dover has kept all the numerous legends associated with it. They tell about the Middle Ages and the events of the New and Recent History. Second World War also did not bypass him, during these years this “key to England” played a role command center Britain. That is why any excursion around England in one way or another touches on these places, rich in color and historical information.
From pre-Roman times to John the Landless
One of the few in Britain, Dover Castle began to be built even before the conquest of these lands by the Romans. Archaeologists have still not come to a consensus about who owned the first settlements in the vicinity of the future castle. Perhaps they were Celts.
From 43 AD, having survived the Roman invasion, Dover began to develop as a port.
Already in 1950, the conquerors of England erected two lighthouses on the shores of the Pas-de-Calais, one of which was subsequently destroyed. Glorious story The first stage of development of this territory lasted until 600. Then the Romans left and the castle was abandoned.
Further development here began only 400 years later. During the reign of the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II, a church was built here, and in 1064 a moat was dug around it.
Just two years later this monarch was defeated at Hastings, and new owner England headed towards Westminster Abbey. It has always served as a religious citadel in Britain. Marching through these places, William took the castle and spent eight days building new fortifications for it.
However, the next king, fateful for Dover - he turned out to be Henry II Plantagenet - reshaped its territory to his own taste. During the period 1179-1188. The architect Maurice the Engineer supervised the construction of the huge donjon, as well as its external fortifications.
Huge amounts of money for those times were spent on these actions - about 6300. The father's work was continued by his sons. Through the efforts of Richard I, and even more so of John the Landless, walls and buildings appeared here economic importance. In 1204, with the loss of Normandy, John the Landless moved the center of his possessions to Dover, settling here.
Wars, sieges and new construction
The year 1216 brought Britain new war, known in history as the First Barons' War. In opposition to John, they came to Louis VIII and offered him to be their patron in exchange for the kingdom of England.
Attracted by the idea of becoming new, Louis VIII lands on its coast and, one after another, takes over the territories of Rochester and Canterbury. Following his father's instructions, the French monarch arrived in Dover, which remained in the hands of John the Landless.
The command of the fortress was in the hands of Hubert de Burgh, one of most influential people Britain of those times. He prepared the castle well for the siege, making the necessary supplies of provisions. The unsuccessful siege lasted three months, but the castle never surrendered to the French.
Dover owes its outer fortress wall to Henry III; it fenced off outside world church and preserved lighthouse. Tudor rule contributed to the new strengthening of the walls.
However, this did not save the new one, when the English Revolution of the 17th led to the treacherous capture of the fortress by opposition supporters. Although, only thanks to this deception the castle was not destroyed and has survived to this day..
In the 18th century, Dover became involved in new reconstruction: William Twiss created a system of external fortifications. The construction of the donjon, additional firing positions and semi-bastions was completed.
Since the castle stands on a rock, it occurred to Twiss to carve a network of special tunnels in it, at a depth of 15 meters, where barracks for soldiers were located. Their number was close to two thousand, and this was the only such experience in England at that time.
Currently, the castle has been turned into a museum; tourists are taken not only through the fortress itself, but also through the tunnels that were recently restored.
England, Castle Hill Rd, Dover, Kent CT16 1HU, United Kingdom
Show on map+(44 130) 421 10 67 www.english-heritage.org.uk adult ticket - £17.00, child ticket - £10.20 (includes visit to military tunnels)In England they only accept pounds.General information
One can say about Dover Castle that it is “the very best”. Dover Castle is one of the largest English castles in terms of area. One of the most famous in Europe. One of the oldest and most important in the history of the country.
The castle began to exist before the beginning of our era on high bank Strait of Pas de Calais. Behind its walls there are still ancient historical artifacts - an ancient Roman lighthouse and an Anglo-Saxon church Holy Virgin Mary of the 11th century.
For a long time, the fortress was the residence of kings. Important strategic position The castle was obliged to constantly modernize and improve it.
By order of King Henry II, the Guardian, a monumental square tower, was erected in the fortress. Fourteen mighty towers rose above the castle to protect the city.
The reconstruction of the castle cost the country an annual income. Water supply, sewerage and heating systems rooms. The construction of the castle was continued by Henry's son, Richard the Lionheart.
Very few medieval fortresses have such a long and eventful history. The fate of Dover Castle is closely intertwined with the fate of Great Britain. No wonder it is called the “Key to England”.
Dover's main attraction has participated in numerous European wars. From the invasion of William the Conqueror to the Napoleonic Wars, from the English bourgeois revolution to the Second World War. At all times the fortress was the most important guardian countries.
Nowadays, the castle opens its King's Gate to museum visitors. You can practically look into any corner of the castle and join a tour of the underground tunnels. Only a small part of the tunnels with the bunker is still classified.
The castle is visible from anywhere in the city, just raise your head up.
Dover can be reached by any means of transport from Canterbury. Available for private cars free parking on the castle grounds and in the city center.
Operating mode
- April 1 - September 30 daily 10:00-18:00
- October 1 - October 31 daily 10:00-17:00
Dover Castle is an ancient fortress located in the city of Dover, on southeast coast England. This is the largest castle in England, rightfully bearing the name “Key to England”.
Archaeologists suggest that the first fortifications appeared on this site even before the Romans arrived here. The Romans installed two lighthouses here, one of which later became part of the castle fortifications and has survived to this day. The Church of Our Lady in Castro was built in the 7th century - it is still active and is also part of the castle. It is likely that the fortress walls were also built at this time. Around 1050, the Union of the Five Ports was formed, in which the port of Dover played one of the main roles. William the Conqueror did much to strengthen and expand the fortress in the harbor of Dover. The castle acquired its modern shape under King Henry II, one of the most powerful European monarchs of the 12th century.
Throughout its history, the castle remained an important strategic point. It withstood numerous sieges and was constantly strengthened and expanded. Moreover, the work was carried out not only on the surface of the earth, but also underground - the castle has an intricate system of underground passages, tunnels and bunkers. In 1642, the castle was captured by deception by supporters of Parliament, thanks to which there was no destruction in the castle.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the underground tunnels were used as barracks and could house more than 2,000 people. At this time, under the leadership of the architect William Twiss, a large-scale reconstruction of the castle was carried out, new fortifications were built and firing positions.
Unlike most ancient castles, Dover Castle was an important military installation during the Second World War. Its system of underground passages turned into bomb shelters and infirmaries. The bunkers were equipped command post– it was from here that Admiral Ramsey led the Dunkirk rescue operation. Some information about the tunnels of Dover Castle is still classified.
It is curious that the position of Commandant of Dover Castle, which is combined with the position of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, has not yet been abolished.