Essential History | The top sights in London, Madrid and beyond
The best cultural and historical sights in London, Madrid and beyond.
Welcome to part two of the ‘Must-see exhibits at the British Museum'! Part one, published recently, explored the ground floor galleries. Part two starts in Room 61 and will work clockwise around the entire first floor. Room 61 Here we find artefacts from the tomb of a senior (and very successful!) ‘financial book-keeper’ [...]
In Bloomsbury, London is the world’s finest collection of historical artefacts under one roof - and even the roof is a world-class masterpiece. This article will highlight the must-see exhibits at the British Museum. If you only have time to visit one museum or gallery, look no further. The British Museum The British [...]
Here are a few pictures taken during a summer trip to Rome. The stand out visit was to the recently reopened Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero’s Golden House - aided by VR headsets showing it’s past magnificence! Photos (c) Essential London Here is the official website for booking tickets to the Roman Forum and Domus Aurea. [...]
Pushing the boundaries of ‘beyond London’ here, but wanted to share some pictures taken of Ostia, the ancient port city of Rome. Brought to our attention by Mary Beard and her excellent TV show ‘Meet the Romans’. Ostia kept Rome’s population fed with imported grain from Africa - freely dispensed to citizens to keep them [...]
A Roman archaeological site in Southwark, London is revealing the extent of what is believed to be a 2000-year-old Roman ‘motel’. Discovered by staff of the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), during recent commercial excavations close to the Crossbones Graveyard, it promises to be one of London’s most fascinating Roman finds. The Roman building is [...]
After years of thinking about it, we arranged a weekend trip to Pompeii in autumn this year. Flights to Naples are frequent, accommodation is plentiful and the crowds are fewer. Trains depart Naples (on the Circumvesuviana line) to Pompeii (alight at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station) and three stops after Pompeii you alight for [...]
Discover the site of London's Roman Forum - and the secrets of the Victorian Leadenhall Market today. Designed and created by Sir Horace Jones in 1881, Leadenhall Market is one of the three markets he built for the City of London. It was built on the site of the Roman Basilica and Forum (some ruins [...]
In September 1066, Duke William II of Normandy landed a French force at Pevensey, intent on taking the English throne from King Harold II. Two weeks later, the English forces were defeated at the Battle of Hastings. And in December 1066, William II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day - so called William [...]
Back from a visit to the reconstructed 'Temple of Mithras' in London - an original Roman temple from around 250 AD. A blow-away experience of sound, light and atmospheric effects. Followers believed the god was responsible for the cosmos and male fertility - an important deity in Roman times. Also on display are around 600 [...]
You cannot fail to be amazed by All Hallows by the Tower. It is the oldest church in the City of London. It was founded by the Abbey of Barking in 675 AD – 300 years before the Tower of London was built. It’s a fabulous church to participate in a traditional English Christmas service. [...]