Rochester is a very small town in the county of Kent.Despite its modest size and small population, Rochester boasts a truly glorious history.After all, the colony, on the site of which the city was later founded, appeared in these places back in Roman times.It is not surprising that the monuments of the most ancient times have been preserved here, including such "pearls" as Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral.
Rochester pretends to be a quiet and cozy town with old houses and a completely unhurried, peaceful way of life that seems to have remained unchanged for centuries.In any case, local pubs remember more than one generation of city dwellers who come here to have a pint or two and talk.
A LITTLE HISTORY
As already mentioned, the beginning of the city was laid by the Romans, who founded it here in 43 AD. the colony During the several hundred years that the Romans spent in these places, earthen and then stone fortifications were built. Moreover, the remains of these fortifications can still be seen. The year 604 becomes an important milestone in the history of Rochester.It was then that the bishop of the city, Justus of Canterbury, founded the first cathedral here, albeit a very small one.
At the end of the 10th century, the city actively develops and grows - a bridge connecting the banks of the Medway River is built, Rochester receives the right to mint coins.In 1080, the Bishop of Rochester, Gundulf, begins the construction of a new cathedral.The construction of another monumental building, which still attracts crowds of tourists, is connected with the same name, namely Rochester Castle.Gundulf began building the castle in 1087. and in 1215 the already powerful and fortified Rochester succumbed to the siege of John the Landless.After a two-month siege and heroic defense, the city was taken.
Rochester is also famous for the fact that King James II spent his last night here in a house on the High Street in 1688.
HOW TO GET
Rochester is located only 50 km from London, which makes visiting the town very convenient.The journey by car on the A2 road will take about an hour.The journey from the capital of England by train will take from half an hour to 60 minutes
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Rochester Castle stands on a hill on the east bank of the River Medway.The first fortifications in these regions appeared during the time of the ancient Romans.The fact is that Rochester covers the way to London, and thus serves as an extremely important strategic point.It is not surprising that during the long years of its existence the castle was constantly improved and strengthened.And, of course, he was exposed to fires, sieges and attacks more than once.Over time, castles ceased to play an important military role, the same fate befell Rochester Castle, they even wanted to demolish it in the 17th century, but fortunately this did not happen.Thanks to this, today we can admire a powerful majestic fortification that has seen so many wars and sieges in its age that it is difficult to imagine.
Rochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral was built in the Romanesque style by Bishop Gundulf in 1080, its full name is the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Virgin Mary.Construction lasted quite a long time and the cathedral was finally completed only in 1130. Over the long years of its existence, the church burned more than once, fell into disrepair, was destroyed, but still survived, and today we can see with our own eyes one of the oldest churches in Europe.Today, the Diocese of Rochester is the second oldest diocese in the country after that of Canterbury.
One of the notable features of the cathedral is a ring with 10 bells cast in memory of those who died on the battlefields of the First World War.The heaviest bell weighs 30 centners.
