Tower of London. The central tower in the photo is the White Tower, built by William the Conqueror in 1078.

The buildings comprising the Tower of London have served as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison for high-profile prisoners. It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Yeoman guards who do the guided tours are downright hilarious.

Tower of London. The central tower in the photo is the White Tower, built by William the Conqueror in 1078.

The buildings comprising the Tower of London have served as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison for high-profile prisoners. It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Yeoman guards who do the guided tours are downright hilarious.