Greenwich is a historic district of London, which is located on the right bank of the Thames. However, what is the reason for the fact that he is often remembered on TV and on the Internet? In this article, we will tell you why Greenwich is so popular.
Greenwich history
This area was formed about 5 centuries ago, although then it was an inconspicuous settlement, which was called the "green village". In the 16th century, representatives of the royal family, who loved to relax here, drew attention to it.
At the end of the 17th century, by order of Charles II Stuart, the construction of a large observatory began in this place. As a result, the Royal Observatory became the main attraction of Greenwich, which it still is today.
Over time, it was through this structure that the zero meridian was drawn - Greenwich, which counted the geographical longitude and time zones on the planet. An interesting fact is that here you can simultaneously be in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth, as well as at zero degree of longitude.
The observatory houses the Museum of Astronomical and Navigation Devices. The world famous "Ball of Time" is installed here, made to improve the accuracy of navigation. It is curious that in Greenwich there is a monument to the zero meridian and an adjoining copper strip.
One of the main attractions of Greenwich is the Royal Naval Hospital, built over two centuries ago. Few people know the fact that since 1997 the Greenwich area has been under the protection of UNESCO.
Greenwich has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. Right below the Thames, a 370-meter pedestrian tunnel has been dug here, connecting both banks. The overwhelming majority of local buildings are built in the Victorian style of architecture.
