10 Downing Street history

In 1732, Britain’s first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole was offered 10 Downing Street as a residence by George II, when it then consisted of 3 separate buildings. Walpole and architect William Kent converted these 3 buildings into a single large one, known collectively by its now-famous address and connected to each other by the Treasury Passage.

Despite its current fame, 10 Downing Street was not a popular choice of residence for Britain’s early Prime Ministers however, and even risked being demolished many times. The 20th century saw its revival when Arthur James Balfour established it as his official residence as Prime Minister in 1902, having already been living there as First Lord of the Treasury.

Since that time, 10 Downing Street has been the location from which Prime Ministers have run the country and entertained heads of state and governments from around the world. 10 Downing Street’s black door hides a warren of offices and state rooms as well as numerous conference rooms, dining rooms, private apartments, kitchens and cellars.

The fates of the First and Second World Wars have been discussed inside, as well as decisions regarding the British Empire, the building of the nuclear bomb, and the creation of the welfare state.

10 Downing Street today

Today 10 Downing Street remains the residence of Britain’s Prime Minister and thus a working governmental building. Though it is not possible to tour 10 Downing Street’s interior, except of course by invitation, the official website has a virtual tour and several audio files detailing the building’s history and that of its residents.

The site’s exterior can be also be seen from its imposing black gates at the end of the street, with tourists often flocking there to snap a photograph of its iconic entrance, thought to be the most photographed door in the country!

In the heart of London, the nearby area also features some of the city’s most-visited sites, with the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey just a 10-minute walk away.

Getting to 10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street is located in Westminster, and can be viewed by the public from the gates on Whitehall. The nearest tube station is Westminster, an 8-minute walk away, while the nearest train station is Charing Cross Station, a 10-minute walk away. A number of bus routes operate to the area, with the nearest stop the Banqueting House or Parliament Square stop, both around a 1-minute walk away.

History of 84 Avenue Foch

84 Avenue Foch was one of many buildings which was annexed by the Germans on the same street during the Axis occupation of Paris. 84 Avenue Foch was particularly notorious, becoming the main headquarters for the the ‘Sicherheitsdienst’ (SD), the counter-intelligence branch of the Gestapo.

The second floor was used by the SD’s wireless unit to uncover coded messages in attempts to flush out resistance groups, during what was known as ‘Funkspiel’ (radio game). The third and fourth floors were used by senior SS officials. The sixth floor was converted to torture rooms and cells, and throughout the Nazi Occupation, neighbours could hear the screams from the victims of Gestapo torture.

84 Avenue Foch is also the site of the death of Pierre Brossolette, a major hero of the French Resistance. After regaining consciousness after two days of torture at the hands of the Gestapo, Brossolette was concerned that he would divulge information about the French Resistance, and killed himself by throwing himself out of the sixth floor window. His last words were ‘all will be fine Tuesday’.

History of Alhondiga de Granaditas

In 1810 the priest and leader of the revolution, Miguel Hidalgo, led a campaign to capture Guanajuato City. At that time, the Spanish began using Alhondiga de Granaditas as a fortress in which to shelter, an action which initially proved quite effective. However, Hidalgo then ordered a miner called Juan José de los Reyes Martínez, known as ‘El Pípila’ to set Alhondiga de Granaditas on fire. After strapping a slab to his back for protection from enemy fire, El Pípila did just that. The result was the massacre of those inside Alhondiga de Granaditas and doubt by some as to whether to continue with the fight for independence.

The Mexicans managed to take Guanajuato City, but by the following year the Spanish had recaptured it and exacted revenge on the rebels. Four of the movement’s main leaders, namely Hidalgo, Juan Aldama, Mariano Jimenez and Ignacio Allende were beheaded and their heads displayed on the walls of Alhondiga de Granaditas. The message was clear –rebellion would not be tolerated.

In the nineteenth century, Alhondiga de Granaditas became a prison and today houses a museum, Museo Regional La Alhóndiga de Granaditas.

Alhondiga de Granaditas today

The museum contains colonial exhibits and those about the Mexican struggle for independence as well as some about the pre-Colombian era. It also houses numerous pieces of art, including murals by José Chávez Morado on the staircase. The museum is also a regional museum for Guanajuato, so expect to find an eclectic mix of objects inside.

Getting to Alhondiga de Granaditas

Alhondiga de Granaditas is located just outside the centre of Guanajuato, a short walk from the historic centre. Walking is by far the most convenient method of transport as the historic centre is a winding maze of roads! Guanajuato is about an hour from the city of León, or a 5 hour journey from Mexico City, traffic dependent.

Bletchley Park history

Bletchley Park first came into the hands of the Leon family in 1883, when Sir Samuel Herbert Leon purchased the land and began expanding its pre-existing farmhouse. The subsequent manor featured a combination of Tudor, Dutch Baroque, and Victorian Gothic architectural design, and remained the home of the Leons until 1937. It was then bought by a property developer with intentions to build a housing estate on the site, however Bletchley would be destined for other plans.

As Adolf Hitler’s campaign to invade Europe intensified, Bletchley Park was taken over by the government when MI6 leader Hugh Sinclair purchased the estate, deeming it the perfect place to move the Government Code and Cypher School in the event of war.

Over the course of the ensuing Second World War, a team of British codebreakers at Bletchley Park – then known by the codename Station X – managed to decipher the machinations of Enigma, the highly effective code encryption machine used by the Nazis. The British government were thus finally able to intercept German messages, and could begin to map their enemy’s military movements.

This team of code-breakers included mathematician Alan Turing, who is widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. It has been estimated that the work of Turing and his team at Bletchley Park shortened the war in Europe by more than 2 years, and saved the lives of around 14 million people.

Bletchley Park today

Today, visitors can explore the history of Bletchley Park and its role during the war, while walking the footsteps of its most important figures. An interactive multimedia guide is available at the Visitor Centre, which through the use of re-enactments and interviews with Veterans truly helps to bring to life the once-secretive Bletchley Park.

Bletchley’s many fascinating exhibitions may be enjoyed, as visitors explore the the site’s various wartime buildings. Exhibits range from codebreaking in World War One and the role of pigeons in World War Two, to online privacy and security in the 21st century and the life of Alan Turing, the latter of which features an impressive statue of his likeness.

The 19th century mansion can be explored, alongside Alan Turing’s office and Hut 8 where the Enigma code was broken, while the rebuilt codebreaking machine itself – the Bombe – is also on display.

Getting to Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park is located in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, and can be reaching by taking Junction 13 off the M1. There is limited parking at the site, however Bletchley train and bus stations are a few minutes walk away therefore it may be advisable to travel via public transport.

Today, you can tour the various blocks of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, one of the word’s best examples of the Gothic Revival style.

Canadian Parliament Buildings history

In 1858, Ottawa was picked as the capital of the United Province of Canada by Queen Victoria, however, the small town needed more space for a House of Commons and Senate. Several years later in 1860, Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, laid the cornerstone of the Canadian Parliament Buildings overlooking the Ottowa River.

Guided by the recently completed British Parliament in London, the buildings were to be designed in the Gothic Revival style. Competition winners were each awarded a block to build: a Centre Block and 2 administrative blocks. The Victorian Gothic Parliament Buildings were built of local materials and featured pointed arches, spires and rubble-course stonework. The parliament officially opened on 6 June 1866 – just in time for Confederation in 1867.

Disaster struck in February 1916 as a fire raged through the House of Commons reading room and into the surrounding buildings. All that remained was the Parliamentary Library. Rumoured to be an act of sabotage mid-Word War One, the accidental fire threw the Canadian Government into alarm. However, by July, the new buildings with concrete walls and a steel frame were being built, sympathetic its the Gothic predecessors.

Canadian Parliament Buildings today

Today, the accessible Parliament Buildings are an enduring national symbol for Canada. They have been modernised over the years to allow for more office space, alongside sensitive conservation to preserve the important public landmarks.

The grounds are dotted with statues of notable political figures who have shaped Canada and provide a nice open space to admire the Gothic architecture. When the buildings are not undergoing restoration, you can take a tour of the Centre Block – make sure you see the beautiful library.

Getting to the Canadian Parliament Buildings

Located on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, the Canadian Parliament Buildings are easily found when wandering the city. The city train line 1 stops at Parliament, and buses 11, 17, 22-29, 31-38, 40, 41, 45, 47, 48, 55, 59, 67, 85, 87 and more all stop along Wellington Street, just outside Parliament Hill.

History of Casa de Nariño

In a house on this spot in 1764, Antonio Amador José de Nariño y Álvarez del Casal – later the champion of the independence movement in the then state of New Granada and translator of human rights laws – was born. The original building was partially destroyed in the 1827 earthquake that shook Bogota: Simon Bolivar decided to authorise the purchase of the remains. In 1885, the then President Rafael Núñez purchased the house with the aim of creating a presidential palace: the site was well located and politically and historically important.

The property was used on and off by politicians until the start of the 20th century, when General Rafael Reyes decided to commission the French architect Gaston Lelarge and Colombian architect Julián Lombana to work on the house, and they transformed it into a neoclassical building and it officially became the seat of government once more. Various other extensions and changes were made throughout the 20th century: the building was attacked in the El Bogotazo riots in 1948, but has largely  stayed the same since the late 1970s.

Casa de Nariño today

The interior of the palace covers a wide variety of styles and tastes: particular highlights of the collection include the Pasillo de las Banderas (Hall of Flags), paintings of all of Colombia’s presidents, Simon Bolivar’s trunks (used to carry key war documents), works of art by prominent Colombian artists such as Fernando Botero, Andres de Santa Maria and Alejandro Obregon and various Louis XV furnishings.

It is possible to visit to Casa de Nariño: admission must be pre-booked and is by guided tour only is by pre-booked tour only (free, English and Spanish tours available), and visitors are thoroughly searched by security guards before entrance. It is best not to loiter around the grounds of the palace as security is tight.

Getting to Casa de Nariño

Casa de Nariño is located in the central La Candelaria district in Bogota. It is easily accessible on foot from other major sites in Bogota, and is adjacent to the Plaza de Bolivar.

History of Casa Rosada

The area on which Casa Rosada is located was once by the sea and in the late sixteenth century was the site of the Royal Fort of San Juan Baltasar de Austria built under the orders of Don Juan de Garay. It underwent a variety of changes: in 1713, the fort was demolished and rebuilt as the Castillo de San Miguel, the centre of colonial government. Following independence, architectural changes were made, but eventually the building was demolished in 1857 on the orders of President Justo José de Urquiza, who had the fort renovated which stood there, creating a customs house which would become Casa Rosada.

The Casa Rosada gets its name from the pink colour – legend says this was a political choice, a mixing of the red and white colours of the two opposing political parties at the time, but in all likelihood it was a practicality: white paint was often mixed with animal blood to help prevent the damaging effects of humidity. The design is known as Second Empire architecture.

The building was renovated and decorated in the 1860, first by Bartolomé Mitre and then by Domingo Sarmiento, transforming it into a presidential residence.

Probably the most famous aspect of Casa Rosada is its association with Eva Peron or “Evita”, the wife of President Juan Peron who addressed the people from its balcony in 1951, when the two ran on a joint President-Vice President ticket. Reportedly this was the largest public outpouring of support for any female figure in history.

Casa Rosada today

Casa Rosada is open to the public via pre-booked guided tour only: these operate at weekends, and you’ll need to bring ID to be admitted.

The Museo Casa Rosada is located behind the main palace, which houses exhibitions dedicated to Argentina’s political history – it’s a fascinating journey through several centuries of turmoil. There are also a selection of artefacts and restored murals by David Alfaro Siqueiros

Behind Casa Rosada are the little known 18th century catacombs of Fuerte Viejo, which are worth a visit.

Getting to Casa Rosada

Casa Rosada is on the east side of the Plaza de Mayo – the nearest metro station is Plaza de Mayo, and multiple bus routes stop on the square.

History of Chapultepec Castle

Original construction of Chapultepec Castle began in 1785, but it was only completed after Mexico achieved independence and later refurbished as the home of Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg in 1864, before becoming the residence of Mexico’s presidents in 1882. It remains one of two palaces in North America.

In 1939, the then President Lazaro Cardenas declared Chapultepec would become a National History Museum. Today, it retains this purpose, although some rooms have been preserved as they would have been when the Castle was a presidential residence.

Chapultepec Castle today

Within its twelve halls, Mexico’s National History Museum charts the country’s diverse history, from the Pre-Hispanic era through to Spanish colonialism, Mexico’s revolution and its independence. Some of the National History Museum’s most significant exhibitions include the sword wielded by independence fighter José María Morelos in the Siege of Cuautla in 1812 as well as several murals depicting famous battles.

The Castle has sweeping views over the whole city, and is worth visiting for these alone. It’s a winding walk up from the park (bosque) below, and you don’t have to pay to walk around the grounds and take in the vistas. The park below is often busy, especially at weekends: keep an eye on your belongings as pickpockets frequent the area.

Getting to Chapultepec Castle

The castle is located in the middle of Bosque de Chapultepec, and is in central Mexico City, close to UNAM and the Angel de la Independencia. The nearest metro stop is Chapultepec (Pink line 1), and Auditorio (Orange line 7) is the other side of the forest if you fancy exploring further. Taxis/Ubers will be able to drop you there easily.

History of Congress Hall

Congress Hall served as Congress’ seat from 6 December 1790 to 14 May 1800: the failure of the government in Pennsylvania to protect Congress from an angry mob in 1783 led to it relocating multiple times, before returning briefly to Philadelphia, and finally relocating to Washington DC in 1800.

During this time, it was the scene of several important historical events, including the inaugurations of Presidents George Washington and John Adams and the ratification of the Bill of Rights. The Congress in Philadelphia also oversaw the establishment of the First Bank of the United States, the Federal Mint, and the United States Department of the Navy.

After Congress left, the building into disrepair. It was only in the very final year of the 19th century that efforts were undertaken to raise funds for a restoration project of Congress Hall.

Congress Hall today

Visiting Congress Hall is a great way to gain an understanding of the American forefathers and the origins of the USA. Congress Hall is now part of Independence National Historical Park, which also encompasses a myriad of significant sites such as Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Centre sprawled over 55 acres within the City of Philadelphia.

Congress Hall is accessible via guided tour only between March and December – these depart regularly so you shouldn’t need to wait for long. January and February are self-guided tours only. Congress Hall is run by the National Park Service and is free to enter. It’s also next door to Independence Hall, site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Security is relatively tight so expect to have your bags searched on arrival.

Getting to Congress Hall

Congress Hall is in Philadelphia’s Old City. The nearest train station is 8th & Market and the nearest subway is 5th St Independence Hall Station, a five 5 minute walk away. Congress Hall is also easily within walking distance from many of Philadelphia’s main sites.

Denge Sound Mirrors history

From 1916 to the mid 1930’s, Dr William Sansome Tucker developed an early warning system known as the ‘sound mirrors’. These were strange looking concrete buildings, designed to listen for enemy planes arriving from the continent.

They worked in much the same way as the modern radio telescopes do today, with three designs built to explore the technology and perfect the concept. These can all be seen on the Dungeness peninsular, although there are many other examples of the dishes elsewhere in Britain (notably Hartlepool, Seaham, Redcar and Sunderland in the North East, Dover, Romney Marsh and Selsea in the South).

The first version is a 70m curved wall, around 5m high, and the other two are dishes around 5m in diameter. All used the same principal of microphones at the focus of each structure. The intention was to set up a string of sound mirrors to determine the direction as well as the distance of planes approaching.

Although the sound mirrors were obsolete by the start of World War Two, the concept behind them had the great merit of developing the infrastructure to enable radar to be used efficiently, as it used the same principles of having a string of listening posts throughout the country.

Denge Sound Mirrors today

Today the site of the Denge Sound Mirrors is managed by the RSPB, and is a must-see for anyone interested in the development of radar and early warning systems. The Sound Mirrors lie on an island in the middle of an old gravel pit at Greatstone Lakes, with access via a swing bridge.

This is only accessible a few times a year during RSPB open days, guided tours, and photography sessions that usually run in the summer. They can however also been seen quite clearly from a footpath that runs along the east side of the south lake and from the land side of the swing bridge.

A half-an-hour drive away at Hythe, there is a working model of a Sound Mirror that visitors can try out with the help of a friend!

Getting to Denge Sound Mirrors

The Denge Sound Mirrors are located in Romney Marsh in Kent, and can be reached by taking Junction 10 from the M20 and following the A2070 towards Brenzett, then the A259 towards New Romney. From there head south along the coast to Romney Marsh, where parking is available at Lade Car Park. Bus services 11, 102, 105, and 553 run to Romney Sands, following which it is a 10-minute walk to the site, while the Romney Sands railway station is also an 8-minute walk to the site.