The City of Saint Albans
One of my New Year resolutions was to wake up this blog from it's calm, undisturbed sleep. It was more than year when last time I visited this web site. One long, full of excitement, life changing year. :)
And here I come again to tell you more about my beloved Vilnius and bewitched London. About small and cozy St Albans City, always busy Thameslink trains, about museums, theatres, parks, cafes and restaurants. About my new findings and the very truths. To tell you my Lithuanian- English dreams, daily nonsenses (there are always plenty of those) and share some multicultural insights that shows up while working with people from many and more countries.
Last year I visited my beloved Vilnius three times. First time, I wanted to kiss the earth, second time - to stay as it was hardest ''looking for a job in Queens Land'' months, third - spend some lovely time with my family and friends, feel the vibes of Vilnius and come home to St. Albans. Yes, St Albans is my choice of home in this self-consciousness exile. Let's start with that.
St. Albans city or City of St Albans or City and District of St Albans or District of St Albans is approx. 35 miles to the North from Central London, based in Hertfordshire, England. It's pretty new City created in 1877, following the elevation of St Albans Abbey to Cathedral. The poplulation here is around 130 k which is not too bad for a City so near London. The most famous people here are from St Albans City Football Club nicknamed The Saints. These Saints are as popular as Saint Albans, the first British Christian martyr, who was beheaded some time in fourth century.
So let's jump to some historical facts. It happens that St Albans area has a long history of settlement. The first ones to live here were Celtic tribes that had a settlement nearby. Later on the Roman city of Verulamium, second largest town in Roman Britain after Londinium (guess what city it is now?) was built here alongside the River Ver valley (unfortunately, Ms. river hasn't survived). In the middle ages St Albans Abbey (now St Albans Cathedral) was built by Benedictine monks.
The most representative objects today are:
St Albans Cathedral (New Years Night, 2015)...
Remains of the Roman wall in the huge park (summer 2015)
St. Albans views from the City Clock Tower:
And one of the oldest pubs in England
and in the day light...
St. Albans views from the City Clock Tower:
Fifteenth century clock tower
And one of the oldest pubs in England
Will be more!
