The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the bank of the River Thames in London. It was founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078.
The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952, although its primary purpose was to serve as a royal residence. The Tower of London is a complex of several buildings inside two defensive walls. Despite various expansions, its layout has remained the same since the 13th century.