Freedom Trail

We had breakfast at a friends house in Cambridge on Sunday, September 28, 2014.
The topic of conversation was our upcoming walk on the streets of Boston.
It was only a walk...
Because, you can not explore any city for one day, it is simply impossible.
We did not know anything and did not read about the city of Boston, we were hoping for our friends.
And friends were excellent guides...

The history of the city is...
Boston - is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts.
It was founded on September 17, 1630 and named after the small British town of Boston, which is located in England.
*Boston*

The city is located on the Atlantic coast, in the northeastern United States; this is one of the oldest cities in the country with a rich history.
Boston - is one of the largest cities in America, is the capital of science, culture and education.
In addition, the city is known for its many museums and architectural monuments, a variety of restaurants and shops.

We could see it all.
Let's go...

Of course, we drove to the center by car, because there was a free parking in downtown of Boston on Sunday.
We started our walk from the central park of Boston, near which dropped the our car.

Boston Central Park conditionally divided into two parts: Boston Public Garden and Boston Common park, which are separated by Charles Street.

Boston Public Garden - community garden, which was founded in 1837.
*Boston Public Garden*

Boston Common Park, located in the heart of Boston, is the oldest public park in the United States.
*Boston Common*

The history of the park begins with 1634, when this area was used as a public pasture.
A cattle grazing was banned in 1830.
And Boston Common was used as a public park, very popular among the residents of Boston.

The two pond, the oldest cemetery in Boston, a large number of interesting places and sculptures are located in the park.
In addition, performances and citywide celebrations held in the park.

The pond is under the trees...

And the sculpture is located opposite...
This Ether Monument - a monument to "Good Samaritan" - the doctor who used ether for anesthesia.
*Ether Monument*

Many people were near the water, they were resting and walked over the bridges.

A very funny duckling was next to a pond...

This is a family of ducklings...

A mother duck leads them...

We felt very comfortable in a quiet and green park.

The park was very beautiful, lots of flowers and trees.

The park helps the city breathing, whose buildings are very close.

In the park there are many lawns where you can sit on the grass.

One more a pond...

And next, a statue of Pastor Edward Everett Hale, as a minister, a scholar and a patriot.
*Edward Everett Hale*

Yes, there is a lot of monuments, monuments, sculptures, statues and compositions in the park.
Some of them cause a smile, others talk about the history of the city and its people.

Well, how not to smile, looking at these frogs.

The monument of "Soldiers and Sailors".
The monument was created in 1877 in memory of the soldiers and sailors who died during the American Civil War.
*Soldiers and Sailors Monument *

The monument dedicated to the simple worker "Industry".

They created and built a beautiful city, which is located around the park.

Boston is one of the most successful and wealthiest cities in the US, however, is not what makes it so popular and famous.

One of the oldest cities, Boston had played a special role in the development of the American nation.
Boston was the cradle of the American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War.

And we crossed the park with our "guide" to see the "Freedom Trail".
The streets of the city center...

"Freedom Trail" begins in the park Boston Common, it goes through the streets of Boston and ends near the sailboat "Constitution" in the harbor.
*Freedom Trail*

This trail links the 16 most historic sites of Boston.
This idea originated in 1951.
The length of the trail 4 km, and it looks - as a strip of red bricks (a red line).

Boston - a city with a rich and interesting history, so it attracts a lot of tourists.
16.3 million of tourists visit the city every year.
Well, a tourism helps the city's economy.
The scientific research, electronics, engineering, finances play a major role in the economy of Boston.
Also, Boston is important center for medicine and high tech.

After leaving the park, we had a rest on a bench near the beautiful fountain - Brewer Fountain.
*Brewer Fountain*

And then we went to the Massachusetts State House by the Freedom Trail.
Massachusetts State House is located in the historic center of Boston, on top of Beacon Hill.
The seat of government and the governor of the state is here.
*The Capitol building*

The central part of the Capitol building was built in 1795 - 1798 years on the site of the pastures.
The facade of the Capitol decorated with columns of Corinthian style. The front side of the building was made of red brick, and the dome was gilded in 1874.

The gilded pine cone - symbol the forests of Massachusetts, mounted on top of the dome.

Our next stop is the Park Street Church.
It is located at the intersection of Park Street and Tremont Street.
*Park Street Church*

The church was designed by the architect Peter Banner in 1809.

The height of the church with a spire is 66 meters.
The construction was completed in 1810.
It was the tallest building in Boston until 1867.

The clock on the church showed a quarter past eleven.
We walked by the sunny streets of the city.
Buildings of different styles around us.

There are a lot of trees and shrubs in the city...

Freedom Trail leads us to King's Chapel.
It was built in 1749-1754 years, at the intersection of School Street and Tremont Street.
The building of the chapel is a national historic monument of US.
*King's Chapel*

School Street...
The first public school in Boston - Boston Latin School was opened in 1635 here.
There is a commemorative mosaic at this place now.
*Boston Latin School*

Can you imagine?..
When the Russian monarch Peter the Great to be born in another 30 years - here in Boston children have gone to school, and people rested at a park.
This is what we are talking about a culture...

Boston Latin School is working now.

Tremont Temple - Baptist Church, which was opened in 1896, is located next at the School Street.
*Tremont Temple*

The building of Old City Hall is also nearby.
*Old City Hall*

Old City Hall was opened in 1865 and the City Council was here before 1869.

In the pretty little garden in front of the building - the monuments of Benjamin Franklin and Josiah Quincy.

The statue of a donkey, the Democratic Party symbol is near the tree.

School Street has a rich history.
People who studied here were scientists...
More than 100 colleges and universities are in Greater Boston.
The city received the status of the largest center of higher education and scientific research.
Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology are known all over the world.
Higher educational institutions of Boston are among the major employers in the region, their high concentration promotes attraction of high-tech industries.
But a history began on this street almost 400 years ago...

In the photo the building - Old Corner Bookstore, which was built in 1712.
The bookstore was opened in the building in 1828.
Now, the building is rented.
*Old Corner Bookstore*

Opposite of Old Corner Bookstore, there is a small garden - is "a piece of Ireland".
Boston Irish Famine Memorial, in memory of the mass famine that occurred in Ireland in 1845 is located in the garden.
One and a half million of Irish came to America and almost all settled in Boston.
The memorial was opened in 1998, 150 years after the tragedy.
Two sculptures embody inequality of classes in Ireland at the time.
*Boston Irish Famine Memorial*

We walk through the streets of Boston forward.

Tourists from the amphibious vehicle welcomed us.

We came to Old South Meeting House.
*Old South Meeting House*

The building was built in 1729.
It was the most capacious building in the city at the time.
The height of the spire of the church reaches 56 meters.

5000 of colonists held a protest in the building - "Boston Tea Party" in 1773.
*Boston Tea Party*

So, "Freedom Trail" brought us to Old State House.
*Old State House*

The building was built in 1713 and the state government was here before 1798.
The US Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony of this building July 18, 1776 (the balcony was on the restoration).
Now - it is a museum.

Boston Massacre - a hassle between British soldiers and Boston citizens was next to the building March 5, 1770.
Boston citizens were dissatisfied with the British tax policy.
The five unarmed citizens were killed.
*Boston Massacre*

We walk towards the ocean, leaving the old district.
The streets became wider, the buildings were more modern.

But we saw this small street...

Amphibious vehicles, which can travel and swim are very popular among tourists.

We felt the smell of the ocean in the market square.
You can buy souvenirs and foods here.
*Quincy Market*

A very beautiful tower is located behind the building of the South Market.
We were near the tower later...

The building of Faneuil Hall, built in 1742 is located near the market.
*Faneuil Hall*

The market, a conference hall and a museum are located in the building.
It is not only a market area, but it is a revolutionary place too.
So, this place is called the "Cradle of Liberty."

There are a lot of tourists there...

Some people walked as we...

Someone chose horses and a carriage...

Some guys have chosen a military amphibious-car.
Older amphibious-cars were purchased from the military, used for tourist purposes and are of great interest.

Houses were left behind, we were near the beautiful public garden.

Where are the old districts? These are not here...

The seafront is located behind the public garden...

Piers...

Many yachts and boats were in the Gulf.

And the Ocean!

Hello, the Atlantic Ocean!

There is such a composition close to the ocean...
We do not what is it.
Solar panels, I think so...

Very expensive residential area is located near the ocean.

Houses near the piers is even more expensive - the housing for millionaires.

Each has its own yacht and a pier.

They can look at the ocean, yachts, piers in the morning.
They can fall asleep listening to the whispers of the ocean waves in the evenings.

But we can only dream about it...
So, we rested on the promenade near the ocean and then we returned to the center of Boston through the beautiful arch.

I do not understand in the architecture but buildings of Boston amaze even me.
The city was built with a love, styles are intertwined in a harmony and complement each other.
Colors of buildings were selected carefully by painters and over the years were carefully preserved.

We liked New York, but Boston is very similar to European cities, it is so near and dear to us.
So, my wife said, "If I'll live in America - in Boston only".
Unfortunately, we were in city only a one day, and of course we have not seen enough.
But love at first sight seems to exist...
The great weather and a lot of vegetation all around contributed to our positive mood.

It is a tower that we saw near the market...

It is the Custom House Tower - the first skyscraper in Boston.
*Boston Custom House*

The tower was the building of old customs and was built in 1915.
A super hotel is located in the tower now.
The height of the tower is 151 meters, it is 32 floors.
*Custom House Tower*

We came to Liberty Square.
A very interesting monument is on the square.
It was established by the Hungarian community in Boston in 1986, in memory of those killed in Hungary in 1956.
In 1956, mass demonstrations took place in Hungary against the Communist regime, which were harshly suppressed.

We went back to the park, where we started the our walk.
We saw many interesting things, but it is only a small part of the interesting places in Boston.
This is a good reason to return to Boston with joy...

Therefore, we are not told "Goodbye", but we said - "See you again."

This is an amazing city where perfectly combines historical and modern buildings, wide and narrow roads, ancient traditions and a modern pace of life.
Boston is very similar to an European city that has a special beauty and a unique atmosphere.