- Type
- Castle
- Built
- c. 1078 · 11th century
- Location
- England, United Kingdom
- Style
- Norman architecture
- Commissioned by
- William the Conqueror
- Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 51.5082°, -0.0762°
History
William the Conqueror began the White Tower around 1078 to keep newly conquered London in check. Later kings, above all Henry III and Edward I, wrapped it in rings of walls and a moat to create a concentric fortress. Over the centuries the Tower served as a royal residence, treasury, mint, armoury and even a menagerie, but it is best known as a state prison: Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were executed here, and in 1483 the Princes in the Tower vanished without trace. The last execution here took place in 1941, when a German spy was shot. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, it is one of Britain's most visited monuments.
What to see
The star attraction is the Jewel House, where the crowns, sceptres and orbs used at coronations are on display. The White Tower holds a collection of royal armour and preserves the Romanesque Chapel of St John. Walk the walls, look down on Traitors' Gate and Tower Green, and join a tour led by one of the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q62378
Popularity: articles about this site in 88 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).