A city of half a million people, "steel" Sheffield is included in the British "big eight" regional centers, such as the center of South Yorkshire.The city is called one of the greenest in Europe: there are only 2.5 times fewer trees than residents.The oldest existing football club in the world (of the same name) was born here, and they played here in 1860. the first match between the clubs.In addition, the annual World Snooker Championship is held in Sheffield.And Sheffield gave the world of music a lot of famous names: cheerful Arctic Monkeys, stylishly depressed Moloko, the elders of Def Leppard and the patriarch Joe Cocker himself comes from here.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Sheffield stands on the banks of the Sheaf and Don rivers, among low green hills, for which it is sometimes called the largest village in the Kingdom.But for a village, the history of the city is very rich.Paleolithic people, Romans, Britons, and Danes lived here.The first castle and churches appeared on the territory of present-day Sheffield around the 12th century, and in the 13th century the city received the right to hold fairs and markets.Starting from 1569 and for the next 12 years, Mary Stuart was imprisoned in Sheffield Castle (later in the civil war, the castle was destroyed).However, until the Industrial Revolution, Sheffield remained a city of little wealth, and it was not until the 18th century that the construction of roads and ironworks led to a leap in its development.Since then, the already famous city has taken a leading position in the production of metal and steel products.It was in Sheffield that stainless steel was invented: it happened in 1912, and in 1924 the discovery was patented.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
The central landmark of the city is the cathedral.The first church on this site was built in the 12th century, but the current building has its history, we can assume, from the 13th century (if you close your eyes to all the subsequent reconstructions).The eastern wall dates from at least this time.In the 15th century, an altar appeared in the cathedral, and in the 18th century, stained glass windows were inserted.Today, the cathedral is interesting for the family marble crypts of the Earls of Sausbury, modeled after the organ and bells.
The Sheffield City Council building (Town Hall) is also very notable: it was designed by the Londoner Mountford in 1890. and was built for 7 years.The official opening was conducted by Queen Victoria herself.Other interesting historical buildings are the 19th century Cutlers Hall, a building that houses a large collection of antique and modern knives, the City Hall, built in the 1920s. of the last century and preserved traces of the bombing of the Second World War, as well as the building of the University of Sheffield, opened in 1828.and included in the twenty best in the country with the 78-meter Tower of Arts — the tallest building in the city, for the opening of which in 1966 Queen Elizabeth arrived.
Near the city council building in 2009. installed a 60-meter Ferris wheel, which was dismantled and taken to Hyde Park in London the following year.
In addition, a couple of very old wooden buildings have been preserved in Sheffield, each with its own history.This is a half-timbered white and brown Bishop's House, built in 1500. and named after the legend that two brothers, John and Geoffrey Blythe, lived here, both of whom later became bishops.Events and exhibitions are currently organized at Bishop's House.Others are also half-timbered and even more famous is the Old Queen's Head, built in the 15th century and the oldest in the city.The building housed a pub called The Old Queen's Head (apparently in honor of Mary Bloody Scots, who was a very old woman when she was decapitated, although it wasn't in Sheffield).Today, the Old Queen's Head is owned by a brewing company.
The Peace Gardens square was created on the site of the demolished St. Paul's Church in 1938. and initially played the role of no more than a temporary phenomenon before the subsequent expansion of the Town Hall building complex.The war prevented the construction, and after that the square already took a very strong place in the hearts of the townspeople.In the center, fountains with channels were installed, which are associated with chutes at steel mills in honor of the main "profile" of the city.
Another famous native of the city is Sean Bean; not only an actor, but also a doctor from the University of Sheffield.
Cultural life in Sheffield is primarily responsible for the Lyceum theater in a beautiful 19th century building with an unusual arched wall.In the 90s in the last century, considerable sums were invested in its restoration, and now, in addition to its own performances, tours and famous Christmas performances are held here.Its more modern counterpart is the Crucible Theater, which hosts not only performances, but also an annual snooker battle and other sports tournaments.In addition, the city has the Weston Park Museum near the park of the same name with collections of archaeological finds, decorative and applied objects and an exhibition of paintings, the Kelham Island Industrial Museum in the complex of buildings of the former iron foundry, and later - the power station, the Museum of Firemen and Policemen in a red brick building former fire station, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet open-air museum, which recreates medieval workshops half a century ago, as well as the modern Millennium gallery at the winter garden.
In the greenest city, of course, it is worth visiting at least one or two parks.In Sheffield, there are an amazing number of them, in the center, on the outskirts - in total, the number of parks exceeds 80. There are more than 10 public city parks alone. Among them, the winter garden in Hillborough and the square in the Peace Gardens square stand out, but above all - opened in 1836 p. the botanical garden, which contains approximately 5,000 species of plants, has a large glazed greenhouse and a pretty gazebo near the entrance in the southern part.And the winter garden of the city, which is heated and perfectly equipped with the latest technology, occupies a very interesting building made of larch with a dome more than 20 meters high (the total length of the pavilion is more than 75 meters).
Of the outdoor gardens, the shady Endcliffe Park, opened in 1887, is particularly attractive. The Porter Brook forest adjoins it, and there are two picturesque lakes in the park itself: townspeople love to relax here.
