Leeds is a big o not only for Yorkshire, but also by the standards of the whole country: it is the fifth largest in Great Britain. The population of Leeds reaches half a million people, taking into account the fact that Leeds is now called not only the Old City itself, but also its agglomeration together with Weatherby and Otla. True, against the background of more developed Liverpool and Manchester, nearby Leeds always remained somewhat in the shadows. Nevertheless, interesting features distinguish this city from others and contribute to a not very wide, but constant flow of visitors. In particular, lovers of Yorkshire terriers: it was in this city that such a breed, now loved by girls all over the world, was bred. And also - fans of "Leeds United".
A LITTLE HISTORY
The first mention of the city was made in the late 11th century, and in the early 13th century Leeds officially became a market town. Leeds successfully fitted into the Industrial Revolution thanks to its advantageous location, becoming one of the most important transport hubs. The development of shipping on the River Aire in the 17th century turned the city into an important trading centre, and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, which was dug in the 18th century, cemented this advantage. In the 19th century, the railway appeared in Leeds and a huge part of Britain's exported goods began to pass through the city. After the Second World War, Leeds' prosperity declined along with industry and the city fell behind. It has taken major investment from private individuals in recent decades for Leeds to acquire its current status as the country's financial and legal center, second only to the capital.
For a long time, Leeds was a developed and busy industrial city, where woolen and weaving mills traditionally flourished. These and other industries made the city rich, and in the 18th century the world's first rail road was laid here, which transported coal from the outskirts of the city to the center. At the same time, a university was opened in Leeds, which to this day is one of the largest in the country: it is among the top ten in terms of the number of students. The Parkinson Building, a beautiful and architecturally significant building, is considered a symbol of the university.
The famous John R. taught at the University of Leeds. R. Tolkien, and among its graduates is the famous Mark Knopfler, the leader of the cult Dire Straits.
HOW TO GET
Leeds has its own Leeds-Bradford International Airport. You can get to the city from London by train (about 3 hours). There are also regular National Express buses from the capital to Leeds, including night buses.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Despite the size of Leeds, its historic center is quite compact. The amazing City Hall, built in 1852 by the architect Cuthbert Broderick, was opened by Queen Victoria herself and is one of the largest Town Halls in Great Britain. Today, its building belongs to the architectural monuments of the first category and houses a unique three-manual organ created by Gray and Davidson, the largest of its kind in Europe. Concerts and official events are held in the Town Hall, and the Leeds International Film Festival is also held here. The building adjacent to the Town Hall is a city art gallery with one of the best collections of works by British artists of the 20th century, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, watercolors and media works of the latest formats. For a long time, the famous sculptor Henry Moore lived and worked in the city, and today in the city gallery you can see an excellent selection of his works. And in the City Museum on Millennium Square, you can get stuck for the whole day, exploring six galleries, including the naturalistic and geographical expositions "Life on Earth", "Ancient Worlds", "View of the World".
The Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes on Cardigan Road is located away from the city center in Barley and has a specific architecture. However, services in Russian are also held here twice a month: in Leeds there is a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
Among the other attractions of Leeds, Sir William de Aldeburgh's estate, the picturesque Harewood Palace of the 12th century, should be noted, in the restoration of which at the beginning of the 21st century, 1 million pounds was invested. In the restored courtyard of the former stables, a full-fledged cafe was opened, where dishes are prepared from vegetables and herbs grown in the castle garden. Royal Armory Museum since 1996. houses the National Collection of Arms and Armor from the Tower of London: over 75,000 objects from around the world dating from the early Middle Ages. Here you can see the weapons of the Ottoman Empire, the Wild West, weapons and ammunition of the Japanese shoguns, Indian armor and personal weapons of the rulers of European royal houses.
The majestic dilapidated Kirkstall Abbey is also a must-see: one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries, built in the 12th century, and a fine example of early Cistercian architecture. The abbey stands in a beautiful public park, and across the road is the Abbey Museum. Also of interest are the Thackeray Museum of Medicine and the Miroshnyt Museum, where the beautifully preserved and still working Thwaite Watermill is located on a small island between the River Aire and the Aire and Caldera Canal. And "Tropical World" in Roundhay Park, one of the largest greenhouses in the UK, is full of representatives of flora and fauna not only from the tropics, but also from jungle and desert ecosystems, including a cute family of meerkats.
Various festivals and concerts are held in Leeds every year: in particular, the Yorkshire Festival, which takes place in the spring and summer, the car show at Harewood Castle in June, the West Indian Carnival in August. In addition, in 2014, the tradition of holding a food and drink festival at the end of May - beginning of June was revived.
