The large seaport and ancient city of Dover stands on high snow-white chalk cliffs. For many centuries, they have served as a sign that land is near for sailors who sail to the shores of Misty Albion. The city and its fortress (one of the largest in all of England) have always played the most important role in the country's history and have not lost their importance today.
Dover is located in the county of Kent, on the east coast of England. As many years ago, Dover today is a large seaport located at the narrowest point of the English Channel in the Pas de Calais Strait.
Dover and its surroundings are a beautiful beach resort with a moderate maritime climate.
A LITTLE HISTORY
On the site of the current city, there was once a settlement of ancient Romans called Portus Dubris, it was on this place that the city of Dover was later built. Due to its geographical position (closeness to continental Europe), the city has been an important strategic object since the days of the Roman Empire. Dover Fortress played a very important role - protecting the territory of the entire island.
The name of the city was given by the river Douai, today a large part of it flows underground.
After the Romans left these places, Germanic tribes came here, and in the 5th century they founded the kingdom of Kent here. After the adoption of Christianity, at the beginning of the 7th century, the Dover Monastery appeared on these lands. Over the course of history, Dover and its fortress acquired more and more political, economic and military importance. In the middle of the 10th century, the city joined the Confederation of Five Ports, which further accelerated its development. Membership in this confederation granted Dover tax benefits and some degree of autonomy in exchange for providing the Crown with a fleet.
During the Norman conquest, the city suffered greatly - a large part of the buildings was destroyed by fire. After the reign of William the Conqueror, Dover continued to grow again. New houses and other buildings were built, a new castle appeared (the construction of which was completed in 1190), and the Church of St. James was built.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Dover was the most powerful fortified area on the entire island, which is not surprising, considering the distance to France - about 35 km. On a fine day, you could see French uniforms on the other side of the strait from the walls of the castle.
In the period from the beginning of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, there was a sharp increase in the population of Dover and its absorption of neighboring settlements. Dover begins to position itself as a seaside resort, the harbor is reconstructed, hotels, embankments are built, and a beach appears.
WEATHER
Dover will delight guests with a mild, mild maritime climate. The temperature here almost never drops below minus one degree Celsius, even in the coldest month in these places - January. In the summer, there is no suffocating heat here, and the thermometer does not rise above 21 degrees. Precipitation covers these regions in the autumn months, especially in November and October. The most favorable period for visiting the city is considered to be April - September, but at the same time it should be taken into account that in the traditionally "holiday" months (July - August), the number of tourists across the country is skyrocketing.
HOW TO GET
You can get to Dover from London by train, the journey will take no more than 2 hours. There are two railway stations on the territory of the city. By car from London, you should take the A2 or A20 highway. Dover is connected to continental Europe by ferry via the French cities of Calais and Dunkirk.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
The main attraction of Dover is the local castle. The fort is deservedly nicknamed "The Keys of England" because of its very important strategic location. Dover Castle is one of the largest in England. Well, looking at its powerful austere walls, there is no doubt about it. The fortress repeatedly repelled enemy sieges. Today, the castle functions as a museum and is open to visitors.
One of the notable features of the castle is the former lighthouse built by the Romans, now the bell tower of the Church of the Virgin.
Another local attraction is the ancient chapel of St. Edmund, built in the 13th century. St. Mary's Abbey, founded in the 12th century, is a century older than the chapel. In addition to the lighthouse, the foundation of the second lighthouse has been preserved on the territory of Dover Castle. Among other buildings of the Roman era, the so-called "Roman house" is interesting, the date of its foundation is considered to be the 3rd century. Even the paintings of those times have been preserved inside it.
Dover Museums
There are interesting museums in Dover - the Local History Museum, which contains exhibits that tell about the history of the city, as well as the Transport Museum, where you can see ships, cars, motorcycles and many other means of transportation from different eras.
Chalk rocks
For nature lovers, the "number one" attraction is the famous chalky white rocks, thanks to which England got the name "Albion" (from the Latin albus - "white"). The fact is that the first thing sailors saw when they came to the shores of Britain were these very rocks. The rocks are very beautiful and it is not surprising that their images are found on a huge number of postcards.
