Norwich is a historic city, second only to London in size and importance in the Middle Ages. Its pride is the wonderfully preserved medieval Old Town with over 30 historic churches and the well-preserved Tudor-era Elm Hill Street.
The city was founded by the Normans who built their castle here in the 11th century. The rectangular, austere fortress is now open to tourists and offers, in addition to traditional sightseeing, the opportunity to take part in historical reenactments. A walled town grew around the castle, the main income of which was from the wool trade.
The greatest monument and main attraction in Norwich is its Gothic cathedral, considered one of the best examples of this style in England. Its construction began at the end of the 11th century. It consists of a three-nave body with a transept and a tower rising above it, and adjoining cloisters with rich sculptural decorations.
Within the partially preserved city walls, you can see over 1,000 historic buildings, tenement houses, city palaces, churches, and public buildings built in the Middle Ages. The gem is Elms Hill Street, with all the buildings from the Tudor period preserved. There are two-story timber-framed houses with carved wood decorations and sloping roofs. The whole thing looks like a picture or an illustration for a fairy tale book.
Outside the old town, there are districts created during the industrial revolution of the 19th century. They are built up with Victorian-style houses and edifices. In this part of the city there is a representative promenade and fashionable shops and restaurants.
One of the biggest fairs in Great Britain is a great attraction of Norwich. It covers several downtown streets where you can buy everything from fruit and vegetables to antiques and crafts 6 days a week.
