2024 UK Trip (16): Dreaming of Oxford.

Oxford is world-famous for its world-class universities and numerous historical sites, making it a city of dreams. Established in the 9th century, Oxford has a history of over 1,100 years and is the cradle of British royalty and scholars.    Oxford has been inhabited since the 7th century, and by 912 AD, it had become a key location in England. "Ford" means a crossing, where the Thames and Cherwell rivers meet. At that time, the water was shallow enough for oxen to cross, hence the name Oxford. The rivers remain, but the original bridges and oxen crossings have long disappeared. However, Oxford's bridges continue to attract visitors from around the world. Oxford University has a history of over 800 years and is the source of all universities in English-speaking countries like the UK and the US, enjoying a prestigious status worldwide. The streets of Oxford are bustling with traffic. Walking along these streets, you wouldn't realize you're on a university campus, as there are no gates or signs. However, the ancient buildings give a sense of the centuries-old culture and academic atmosphere. The streets around the city center are lined with medieval quadrangles, each representing a college. Since academia was a church monopoly at the time, the colleges were designed like monasteries, but often surrounded by beautiful courtyards, making them less dull. Each college resembles a medieval monastery, and the city is filled with tower-like buildings, earning it the nickname "City of Towers." We've seen those spires along the way. Here, you can see buildings from hundreds of years ago everywhere. The Bridge of Sighs (Figure 5) is indeed beautiful. It spans New College Lane, connecting the new and old parts of Hertford College. Designed by Sir Thomas Jackson, this bridge resembles the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, hence its name. Perhaps this is the only famous bridge without a river beneath it. Oxford