Real Estate Dover

Dover (eng. Dover) is a town and port situated on the South-East of the island of Britain. The location of Dover is significant in that it is in this area runs the Strait of Pas-de-Calais, the narrowest area of the channel, and hence the distance to continental Europe the least. Because this is the world famous swim across the English channel, attracting many athletes as well as spectators. Dover is located in Kent and is the administrative center of the district bearing the name of the city. It is small but very cozy town. The population of Dover is estimated at approximately 39.000 people, however, we cannot underestimate the importance of this city, as Dover is a major port and one of the most important hubs in the UK and on both coasts of the English channel.

The city’s history begins in antiquity, in times when these lands were ruled by the Romans. However, the earliest traces of man belong to the stone age, as evidenced found in the vicinity of Dover primitive tools and kitchenware and other utensils belonging to that era. Admire exhibits such an ancient history is in a Museum in Dover, where visitors can see ancient axes, and the boat which, in the opinion of some researchers, in those days, transporting goods, making the exchange between neighbouring tribes. But the history of Dover as a town begins in the beginning of our era. This territory was a brythonic settlement named “Dobras”, and the Romans soon captured settlement and make it a major transportation, shopping, and, of course, a military center, called it in their own way – “Portus Dubris”. This settlement served as the primary ground base for the Roman fleet of the province. For the further development of trade were roads leading in different parts of England. Were also built two lighthouses, both bore the name of Pharos, but unfortunately, in our time, there is only one of them, now being the belfry of the blessed virgin Mary, a member of the Dover castle. However, it is possible to see the remains of the second lighthouse, and the ruins of a Roman Fort, in particular “Mansio” – a sort of hotel for VIPs from Rome. Fifth century, which was marked by the Exodus of the Romans from Britain, brought Dover new settlers – Germans who founded these lands to their Kingdom of Kent. The most important building in turn marked the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon period, was Dover castle. It was founded over a thousand years ago and since then have glorious history. Was also built Dover Priory.

In the middle of the ninth century, the city has survived the expansion of the Danes. One of the most important events of the era was the joining of Dover in the so-called Confederation of the Five Ports, which gave a new impetus to the comprehensive development of the city. In 1066, the year the castle was captured by William the Conqueror, however, understanding the value of Dover as a military and economic center, it has allocated considerable funds for its restoration. The Norman conquest, some changed the priority of the city, as appointed by William the commandant of Dover castle was also the head at the moment is a Federation of Five Ports. This period is marked by the massive construction that has allowed many merchants to buy a house in England in the most economically advantageous to the city at relatively low cost. And built not only houses, but also churches, such as St. James and the monastery of St. Martin. Membership in a Confederation of Five Ports gave the town the obvious advantages. For the fact that the city helped the king in the event of hostilities, providing the Navy with sailors, Dover received a law such as independent taxation, and the court on petty criminals, and the city paid less tax revenues. Thanks to all five of these cities grew rapidly, and it often happens that the trade was conducted illegally, which further enriched the whole region. Later, during the reign of Edward the First, the city was generally exempt from certain taxes, for which was obliged to provide all the forces in wartime. In the future, considerable resources were invested in strengthening the defense of the city, in particular to build new fortifications according to the latest defensive for the UK real estate technology that sponsored it from the Royal Treasury on the orders of Henry VIII-th. However, the earthquake that happened in 1580 and is considered one of the strongest in the history of England, the city was deprived of a substantial part of the buildings and taking many lives. The modern name of the city was in the early seventeenth century, and in the middle of the same century a few years he lived here were expelled from France, Charles II. Dover finally has become one of the most fortified fortresses of great Britain during the Napoleonic wars. Several moats and other defensive structures provided excellent protection against any attack.

If at the beginning of the XIX-th century, the population numbered only 10,000 people in just a century the population had increased seven times. The geographical position of Dover, sent the construction in the valley of the river Douay, where they built many buildings and absorbed the surrounding villages. Dover at that time was the leader in terms of construction or reconstruction of residential houses in England. Also was rebuilt the harbour, began to develop the tourist business, in particular, there were built hotels and other attributes of the resort. Dover suffered during both World wars, constantly subjected to attacks from the air and from the opposite shore of the English channel. However, being well fortified fortress, the city withstood all attacks and bombardment, providing its residents a refuge under the ground, because where, as at Dover, which was the fortress for many centuries, could be the strongest defence estate in the UK.

Dover is a major transportation center. Annually, through the city hosts up to sixteen million people wanting to cross the English channel, and about two and a half million cars. Owns the largest business Corporation “Dover Harbour Board”, by providing thousands of jobs to the residents of Dover. Also the city is a major railway station where trains heading including in London. The city is rich on historical sites, such as the popular Dover Castle, city parks, museums and churches. The attention of people around the world glued to the annual swim across the English channel. One of the residents of Dover bears the honorable title of Queen of the channel, as it crossed the channel by swimming 43 times.

® Mark Saruhanov.