Historic Dover

I woke up very early. The schedule of my day seemed very busy. Dover and his White Cliffs of Dover. I wanted to see more there in Dover but it wasn't enough time to do it. I caught the train there and changed few times. My way  have taken   more than 3 hours, but it was worth. You can see it in the near my posts. Visiting the castle took me half day, and the next half of  day  I spent on the cliffs delighted with beautiful views. Dover is a very interesting historical place.
Dover has been an important port since Roman times, when Julius Caesar chose this spot to land his invasion forces. The most famous landmark associated with Dover are the famous 'White Cliffs', one of the most easily recognisable of British icons. But there is more to Dover than the cliffs. Dover Castle was begun immediately after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and extended in the 13th century by King John. Allied forces in WWII used King John's underground tunnels as part of the command centre. 

The parish church of St Mary-the-Virgin is nearly 1000 years old, and is situated in the heart of Dover just along from Market Square. Dating from Saxon times, it was build originally by the secular canons of St Martin Le Grand, but was rebuilt by the Normans. In the 16th century, St Mary's was given to the people of Dover by King Henry Vlll, who frequently visited Dover and St Mary's Church. Other visitors include Queen Elizabeth l and Charles ll.

Dover Beach

Dover Castle is the oldest fort in England and has been strategic in the countrys defence even up to and including WW1 and WW2. Originally strengthened from an Anglo-Saxon fort in 1066 by William the Conqueror with futher additions made by Henry II and Henry VIII.

Dover's Tidy Ruin" - Old St James' Church - stands at the end of St James' Street, at the foot of Castle Hill. Built c.1070

"The old parish church stands at the top of St. James's Street.  The ancient edifice, which is now used as a chapel-of-ease for the parish, is in an excellent state of preservation, having been restored in 1869.  It did not exist at the Conquest, but it was built before 1291; therefore, it may be ascribed to the Norman period, of which the style of its architecture affords corroborative evidence.  Originally, it consisted of only a nave and chancel, the building on the south side having been added at an early date, probably in the reign of Edward II., to be used as the Courts of Admiralty and Chancery of the Cinque Ports.  A great deal of business was done in that old Court House in the Middle Ages; but, in later years very little - the last sitting of the Court of Admiralty there was about 30 years ago.  When the old church in the Castle fell into ruins, St. James's was used jointly as the parish and garrison church, and was so continued until, after restoration, St. Mary's-in-the-Castle was re-opened in 1862.  The memorials of old Dover families preserved in this church are numerous and interesting." (J.B.J. 1907)

The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest ferry port, a vital international gateway for the movement of passengers and trade. It is also an award-winning cruise port, the second busiest in the UK and hosts some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines. Other successful businesses include a cargo terminal, a top award-winning marina and several niche activities. The business mix is diverse.