Free Space: A European Journey of an Intellectual Woman

Author: Zhang Huicun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: On the banks of the Thames River, a towering clock tower is a massive 13.5-ton clock—this is Big Ben. Every hour, Big Ben begins to chime, its melodious and resonant sound can be clearly heard even several miles away. Big Ben was cast in 1859 and supervised by Sir Benjamin Hall, the then Royal Works Minister, at a cost of ￡27,000. As a symbol of London, Big Ben is not only enormous but also magnificent, with four intricately carved clock faces, each covering an area of about two square meters. Since Big Ben began to mark time for the city of London, nearly a century and a half has passed. Although Big Ben has cracked and been recast twice, its profound voice has long been embedded in the hearts of Londoners. The best time to see Big Ben is at night, when it is illuminated by the sea of lights, appearing like a temple floating in the air, dreamlike and ethereal, sparking endless imagination.
To the south of Westminster Bridge is the traditional landmark of London—the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster. This is a magnificent Gothic building, rectangular in shape, with classical arches, ornately decorated columns, and towering spires, exuding grandeur. When Parliament is in session, the Victoria Tower on its southern side is adorned with national flags, which flutter in the wind, creating a spectacular sight. Since the September 11th attacks in the United States, the Houses of Parliament has prohibited entry for tourism purposes.
After leaving the Houses of Parliament, we headed straight for the Tower of London. The Tower of London is actually a castle, built in 1078. From the 11th to the 17th century, it served as the main residence of British kings. After the tyrannical King James I was executed within its walls, the Tower of London was converted into a prison and an execution ground. With a history spanning over a thousand years, the Tower of London is one of London's oldest historical sites, attracting 2 million visitors annually. At the entrance, two guards in Tudor-era uniforms stand guard, these "ancient guardians" have become subjects of admiration and photography for tourists. Similarly, there is also the "ravens" in the castle—a species of fat ravens, raised by, which is quite interesting.
The Tower of London is now a museum. In its treasury, it houses the crowns of British kings and the royal family's collection of gold and silver jewelry. In my opinion, the most worthwhile thing to see in the Tower of London is the continuously playing recording of the grand coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. I did not mention the world-famous diamond "Star of Africa" because, amidst the crowds and the dazzling array of jewels, I could not distinguish which one was the "Star of Africa."
Just a stone's throw away from the Tower of London is Tower Bridge. This is a bridge with two Gothic towers, spanning 260 meters across the central Thames River in London and is one of the city's symbols. When you actually stand under the bridge, you realize it is not as magnificent as I had imagined. Standing by the riverbank, I felt as if I had returned to Guangzhou. The width of the Thames River is similar to that of the Pearl River, and the appearance of Tower Bridge also resembles Haiyin Bridge. The difference is that Tower Bridge has a history of over a century and is equipped with a mechanism that can open its bridge deck. When passing ships come by, it slowly