WESTMINSTER ABBEY (1, 800)

Westminster Abbey is the tallest Gothic building in the British Isles and one of the most beautiful buildings in London, beautiful for its architecture, for its stained glass and for its historic associations. Like many other great churches, the Abbey is designed in the shape of a cross, recalling the death of Jesus Christ. The oldest part of the building dates from the 8th century. It was a monastery called the West Minster.

When Westminster Abbey was founded in the 11th century by King Edward the Confessor, most Christians in Europe accepted the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. In the 16th century the Reformation brought many changes to the organization and worship of church throughout Europe. The Church of England, to which the Abbey belongs, became independent of Rome. But it kept up much of its traditions while developing its own distinctive forms of worship, conducting its services in English.

The church is full of memorials to kings, queens, writers, scientists and explorers, all of whom have played a part in shaping Britain’s history. As soon as one enters the Abbey through the Great North Door one will see memorials to former statesmen of Great Britain. For nearly one thousand years all the monarchs of Britain, beginning with William the Conqueror, have been crowned in the Abbey. Many of them are buried here. There is a corner where many writers, actors and musicians are honoured. Some are buried here, others are memorialized.

The Abbey is a living church that preserves the history of the British nation. It is not a museum, although there are many things worth seeing. Worship is offered in the Abbey without fail every day of the year.

The heart of the Abbey is the Shrine, which contains the body of St. Edward the Confessor. The mosaic pavement dates from 1268. Here coronations as well as weddings and funerals take place.

The Nave is the largest space in the church. It contains important monuments. One can find the grave of the Unknown Warrior here. Two monuments – that of the Unknown Warrior and that of Innocent Victims cause us to remember the tragedy of war, the bravery and selfsacrifice of warriors and the sufferings endured by the innocent. Statues represent Truth, Justice, Mercy and Peace. Above them ten martyrs of the 20th century.

Notes

1) are worth seeing – стоит посмотреть;

2) without fail – непременно, обязательно;

3) as well as – а также;

4) the grave of Unknown Warrior – могила неизвестному солдату;

5) martyr ['mRtq] – мученик.

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LONDON (3, 100)	\|	OXFORD (1, 900)

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