Culture of Newcastle. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

A lot of historical attractions are concentrated both in the city and in its immediate vicinity so tour-goers won't have any problems with choosing a place to visit. To the north of the city is the old Castle of the same name, which is considered one of the main historical symbols of the region. The very first wooden fort was built in its place more than a thousand years ago. According to researchers, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery was located on its site earlier.

The castle one can see today was built in the 12th century. Many elements of its architecture have been preserved unchanged since construction. Between the 16th and the 18th centuries, the castle was converted into a prison, and old cells have been preserved at its lower level. During the Second World War, the ancient castle became one of the main shelters for local residents who hid from air raids in its dungeons. Today, the entire territory of the castle is open to the public. On its roof, there is an observation deck, which is considered one of the best in the region.

In the vicinity of the city, you'll find a unique archaeological site - Hadrian’s Wall. The 120-kilometer long earthen rampart was built during the reign of the Roman Empire. However, the stone wall has survived to our days only partially. Interestingly, researchers never managed to determine its original purpose. No defensive structures were built near the wall. It could be erected just as a symbol of the Roman Empire's great power. Following a trail laid along the old wall, you can see not only fragments of ancient fortifications but also local natural attractions. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Newcastle has preserved several beautiful historic churches, and the main one is St. Nicholas Cathedral. The first wooden church was built on its site in the 11th century and had stood a little more than a hundred years until it was destroyed by fire. The cathedral was restored in the middle of the 14th century. Originally, it was distinguished by sumptuous architectural decoration. Its main feature is an openwork tower shaped a bit like a lantern.

Since its construction, it has been one of the tallest buildings in the city. Its tower is clearly visible from many streets. In the middle of the 17th century, throughout the course of the struggle against Scotland, the cathedral lost many of its valuables, as the invaders were going to destroy it. The cathedral has remained intact by some miracle, and at the beginning of the 19th century, it got a new rich interior. Today, visitors can admire its wonderful stained glass windows, sculptures and memorials, lots of religious artifacts stored within the cathedral's walls. Over the years, the main city cathedral has hosted classical music concerts, and this good old tradition has been preserved to this day.

In the very heart of the city is St. Mary’s Cathedral, an architectural monument of a later period daring back to the mid-19th century. For more than 150 years, the church tower has been Newcastle's tallest structure. The spire of the church is 70 meters high and the building itself is considered a vivid neo-Gothic monument. Wonderful stained glass windows are considered the main decoration of the interior. Some of them have managed to survive the Second World War. Some decoration elements were restored in the postwar years. Now the church is also regularly used for holding classical music concerts.

An interesting symbol of Newcastle is ancient bridges, each of which has its unique history. The Swing Bridge located in the west was built in 1876 by the order of Lord Armstrong. The High Level Bridge was erected much earlier, in 1849. This one became one of the first railroad bridges in the city. The opening of the bridge was such an important and long-awaited event that Queen Victoria herself took part in it.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is considered one of the most unusual from an architectural point of view. It became the first drawbridge in the world that actually doesn't draw. The tilting mechanism of the bridge is such that it simply raises above the river with the help of special engines. This allows large ships to pass under the bridge freely. Watching it rising is one of the tourists' favorite entertainments. Learn about the next sooner lifting time using a special display board located on both sides of the bridge. Newcastle also has pedestrian bridges across the river, walking on which are very popular with tourists.