Rochester,
the site of the current French Hospital, is an historic city in Kent,
on the River Medway.
The Medway in
Rochester. Photographed by Trevor J. Moore.
Rochester
is a site of considerable historical interest with many varied attractions.
As well as significant Roman ruins, the city is host to Rochester Castle.
This dramatic landmark has one of the tallest keeps in England, measuring
113 feet high, and is probably one of the country's finest examples of
Norman architecture. In 1215 the castle was beseiged by King John, who
gained entry by undermining the south-west tower by using the fat of 40
pigs to set fire to the pit props.
Rochester Castle photographed by Trevor J. Moore.
Opposite
La Providence is England's second oldest cathedral, founded in 604 by
Bishop Justus. The nave and parts of the crypt show Norman architecture
at its best, while other parts of the building contain examples of later
gothic styles.
Rochester Cathedral, photographed by Trevor J. Moore.
Rochester
is also remembered as the home of Charles Dickens. The Charles Dickens
Centre brings the author's career and works to life through a number of
displays. Dickens' Dream is a dramatic representation based on the famous
painting of the author by R.W. Buss. In the gardens, visitors can see
the Swiss chalet once sited at Gad's Hill Place, where the author was
working on The Mystery of Edwin Drood just before his death in 1870.
The summer house of Charles Dickens now sited in Rochester, photographed
by Trevor J. Moore.
The
Guildhall Museum, also found off Rochester High Street, is home to a number
of displays and exhibitions including superb collections of Victoriana.