Hyde Park PARKS OF LONDON
Hyde Park with an area of 1. 4 km ², - one of the Royal Parks of London, connected together in a single large green area in the city center.
The history of the park began in 1536, when Henry VIII took from his possession of Westminster Abbey Hyde (Menor of Hyde), whose name was derived from the old square measures, and built there a hunting ground. In the XVII century, when King James I of Hyde Park, who was at that time the largest park in London, was opened to the public. Under Charles II through the Park Road Rotten Row, 300 illuminated by the light of oil lamps, became the main promenade of the capital, which is between St. James's Palace and Kensington Palace in carriages strolling representatives of the English aristocracy. In 1730, the park has got an artificial pond shaped like a snake and called the Serpentine. Already in 1970, the park opened an art gallery of the same name the Serpentine Gallery, which introduces visitors to the art of XX-XXI centuries.
In 1815, the Hyde Park held a historic parade on Wellington's victory over Napoleon. About the event in Hyde Park today reminds installed in 1822 a statue of Achilles sculptor Sir Richard Westmakotta dedicated to Wellington, the museum of the Duke of Wellington and Wellington Arch.
In the north-eastern part of the park is the famous Speakers Corner. Since 1872, when England passed a law allowing for everyone to gather and discourse on any topic, including a discussion of the royals, the place in the park is empty. And today, every day from 12: 00 to stump speeches can be heard fiery speakers - from representatives of informal groups and young politicians to various eccentrics, present in abundance in the park.
In 1851, at the Crystal Palace Hyde Park World's Fair was held. In Hyde Park, a landmark Cemetery of the animals that had been arranged the Duke of Cambridge after the death of his wife's favorite animals. There about 300 stone gravestones pet. The cemetery opened to the public once a year.
Today, Hyde Park - a favorite vacation spot for residents and visitors to London. Apart from water sports to the Serpentine lake, the park has a racetrack and a place for horse riding, operates a riding school. In the park, you can play tennis and bowling, ride on rollers on specially laid tracks. Attracted a lot of public entertainment events, including demonstrations, parades, concerts, gun salutes. On turf allowed to walk the park, ancient trees - elms, oaks and sycamores - Create a cozy shady avenues, which rests in the shadow hiding in the summer heat.