Secrets of the Tower of London

Mix together murder, terror, rebellion and romance, add in glistening historical jewels and stir in an ancient legend of impending catastrophe. What do you get?

In the UK’s capital, it’s the recipe for one of the city’s most popular travel destinations: The Tower of London.

This turreted fortress, built of white stone on the banks of the city’s ancient River Thames, is a London landmark that’s stood for more than 900 years.

Each year, more than three million people flock to the Tower to discover the secrets, myths and legends hidden behind the imposing walls of this destination.

And if they’re lucky, they’ll bump into one man who knows more about them than most – the Ravenmaster.

Skyline staple

London landmark: The Tower of London has stood over London for over 900 years. The fortress was established in roughly 1078 by William the Conqueror -- the first Norman King of England. Now it's a tourist hotspot, more than three million people visit each year to discover the secrets behind the Tower's stone walls.

Secrets and history: The Tower has long been home to secrets, history, myths and legends. It's played host to deaths and disappearances. Visiting in 2018, you'll struck by its size: the Tower covers 12 acres of the city -- it's almost a village in itself.

Skyline staple: William wanted the castle to be a omnipresent reminder of his victory to the people of London. The Tower remains a staple of the London skyline.

Historic exhibits: Today, the White Tower showcases historic arms and armor as part of the Line of Kings exhibition. This exhibit has been a feature of the Tower since the 17th century.

Changing trends: The exhibit charts royal armor through the ages and is a must-see for history buffs, charting how tourism trends have changed over the years.

Britain's showpieces: The Tower also plays host to Britain's Crown Jewels. Under armed guard inside the Tower, they're a marvel to behold. The Imperial State Crown -- pictured here traveling by car to the State Opening of Parliament -- was made in 1937, using precious jewels said to date back to the 1300s.

Real deal: The jewels you see in the Tower of London are the real deal, but even replica sets are worth thousands. This replica set was made in honor of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, with an estimated worth of ￡5,000- ￡7,000.

Opening ceremony: Every morning, the Tower is officially opened by the Yeoman Warders. They guard the Tower and everything inside -- and also lead tours of the Tower for tourists.

High flying job: To become a Yeoman Warder, you have to have served at least 22 years in the armed forces as a Warrant Officer or Senior Non Commissioned Officer -- and hold Long Service and Good Conduct medals.

Traditions and customs: Yeoman Warders still live inside the Tower of London with their families -- continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1400s. Some of the accommodation dates back to the 13th century.

Bird's eye view: One of the Tower of London's quirkiest residents is the Ravenmaster. Chris Skaife is a Yeoman Warder whose principal role is to look after the Tower's feathered residents.

One of a kind: "I am responsible for the safety and the welfare of our magnificent ravens," Skaife tells CNN. "My job is unique, as far as I'm aware, I am officially the only Ravenmaster in the world."

Importance of the raven: Ravens are intertwined with the Tower's history and legacy: "There are many myths and legends associated with the Tower," explains Skaife. "One such legend reminds us that should the ravens leave the Tower of London, it will crumble and a great harm will befall the Kingdom."

Royal decree: No one is sure where the ominous raven legend came from -- but when Charles II came to the throne in 1630, he decreed that there must always be six ravens at the Tower -- to ensure Britain's safety.

Bond with birds: Skaife has a particular bond with one of his ravens -- Merlin, affectionately known as Merlina -- pictured here. "My relationship with the ravens depends very much on the actual personality of each individual raven that we have here at the Tower of London," says Skaife.

Animal farm: In the 21st century London is known for its Regents Park-based zoo, but during the reign of King John (1199-1216) the Tower of London hosted the Royal Menagerie -- a large collection of exotic animals.

First elephant: The Royal Menagerie hosted the first polar bear and elephant in the UK. The elephant was a gift from Louis IX of France in 1255. The Menagerie was officially closed in 1830.

Grisly history: There have been a total of 22 executions inside the Tower of London. The last person to be executed was a German spy -- Josef Jakobs, who parachuted into England.

Lost princes: One of the Tower's greatest mysteries is the lost Princes in the Tower. These two boys disappeared in the Tower while under the custody of Richard, Duke of Gloucester in 1483.

Notorious prison: In the 1950s, infamous gangsters the Kray twins were held in the Tower for one night for failing to turn up for their national service. They were the last prisoners in the Tower.

Buried treasure: Rumor has it that there's mysterious buried treasure somewhere in the Tower -- the Lieutenant of the Tower during the Cromwell period (1649-1660) hid ￡20,000 of gold coins in the stone walls. The riches have yet to be discovered.

Inside the Tower of London

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Approaching the Tower from the river bank, the fortress cuts an impressive figure. It’s surrounded by a waterless moat and a sturdy stone wall. The view is pretty much unchanged from the panorama once experienced by England’s medieval Queens and Kings.

The Tower of London was the brainchild of William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England who claimed the throne following his victory in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

In the years since it’s grown, helping shape modern Britain. Visiting in 2018, you’ll struck by its size: the Tower covers 12 acres of the city – it’s almost a village in itself.

Inside, the medieval buildings contrast with London skyscrapers glimpsed beyond the stone walls.

The building was designed to be etched into the hearts and minds of Londoners.

It’s a maze of cobbled-streets and impressive stone structures, from the White Tower that dates from the fortress’s inception to the Waterloo Block, home of the Crown Jewels.

A peek at the Queen’s collection is a must. Visitors can marvel at the twinkling gemstones, crowns and orbs, which are under armed guard inside a vault.

The jewels have been a staple of the British monarchy since William the Conqueror – but much of the medieval bling was melted down when monarchy was abolished in 1649-1660.

When royalty was restored in the 1660s, new jewels were constructed. The majority of the regalia worn by Queen Elizabeth II dates from this period.

The only exceptions? Three 17th century swords and one 11th century coronation spoon. The spoon was sold off during the interregnum, but the buyer personally returned it to Charles II in order to get in the newly anointed King’s good books.

All these opulent trinkets are visible to Tower guests. Walking through the chambers, visitors are shepherded through the display on moving walkways, allowing them to admire the gems without battling other guests for the best view.

For many visitors, the jewels are the Tower’s chief attraction – but there are plenty of other delights.

Tower of terror

The Tower has witnessed grisly deaths and disappearances.

The Tower of London is best enjoyed as a full day outing. Tickets are on the pricier side, so it’s worthwhile to see as much as possible.

Arriving early avoids long lines that build later on. Unsurprisingly, weekdays are quieter than weekends and public holidays. And while winter isn’t the best time to visit anywhere in London, the Tower is always slightly quieter in the off season and most of the highlights are indoors.

Whatever time of year, there are always fascinating facts to discover.

Turns out the nation’s money was made at the Tower until 1810 and Britain’s pioneering Ordnance Survey map system was conceived here in the 1700s.

The Tower also hosted a menagerie for more than 600 years – home to exotic pets including alligators, Britain’s first polar bear and an elephant gifted by Louis IX of France in 1255.

Tower Bridge can be glimpsed from inside the Tower of London's walls.

Many tourists visit the Tower to learn more about is grisly reputation as a prison.

Infamous Tudor king Henry VIII remodeled parts of the White Tower in honor of the coronation of his new bride, Anne Boleyn in 1533. But only three years later, Anne was executed at the Tower – accused of adultery and treason.

The White Tower is a highlight thanks to its historic exterior and what lies inside: the “Line of Kings” is one of the Tower’s earliest museum exhibits, charting royal armor through the ages and providing an intriguing insight into 17th century tourism habits.

One of the Tower’s greatest mysteries is the lost princes. These young boys disappeared in the Tower while under the custody of Richard, Duke of Gloucester – it’s widely believed Richard murdered them in his gory path to the crown, but their bodies have never been found.

William Shakespeare immortalized Richard’s rise to power in his play “Richard III.”

Guests can discover grisly history in the Lower Wakefield Tower, where displays showcase the painful methods of torture used at the Tower and replicas of the terrifying instruments used to administer pain.

In total, there were 22 executions inside the Tower of London, fewer than might be expected given its reputation. The last person to be executed was a German spy, Josef Jakobs, who parachuted into England during World War II and was killed in 1941.

In the 1950s, infamous gangsters the Kray twins were held in the Tower for one night – after failing to turn up for their national service. They were the last prisoners to be incarcerated in the Tower.

Meet the Ravenmaster

The ravens are the true VIPs of the Tower of London.

Today, the Tower’s residents are no longer disgraced prisoners. It’s considered a great honor to call this famous building home.

About 150 people live inside the Tower’s walls, including 37 serving Yeoman Warders, affectionately known as “Beefeaters.”

To become a Yeoman Warder requires at least 22 years service in the UK’s armed forces ranked as a warrant officer or senior non-commissioned officer. Candidates must also hold a UK military Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

One of the Tower’s most famous Yeoman Warders is Chris Skaife, who looks after the Tower’s real VIPS: The ravens.

Skaife has a particular bond with raven Merlin, known as Melina.

Skaife’s unique job is integral to the Tower – thanks to an ominous legend linking the ravens to the Tower of London.

“There are many myths and legends associated with the Tower, one such legend reminds us that should the ravens leave the Tower of London, it will crumble and a great harm will befall the Kingdom,” explains Skaife.

Historians are divided as to the origins of this legend. When Charles II came to the throne in 1630, he decreed that there must always be six ravens at the Tower to ensure Britain’s safety. The official title of Ravenmaster was introduced in the 1960s.

The Tower’s VIPs

Ravenmaster Chris Skaife looks after the ravens at the Tower of London.

There are currently seven resident ravens at the Tower.

These impressive birds are well-looked after by Skaife and his team. They get fresh meat from nearby Smithfield market and top notch veterinary care. To discourage them from flying away, their flight feathers are regularly trimmed by the Ravenmaster.

“I feed them, look after them, let them out during the day and make sure that they’re nice and healthy for the members of the public to come and see them throughout the day and photograph them,” says Skaife. “And then at night time of course I have to put them back into bed, so I shepherd them back into bed at night time, back into their enclosure.”

In the six years Skaife has been Ravenmaster, he’s developed relationships with the birds.

“I do have a large bonding with one of our other ravens called Merlin, or affectionately known as Merlina, and we’re really good friends,” he says.

Social media superstar

The Yeoman Warders AKA the Beefeaters -- live and work inside the Tower.

Skaife has catapulted the Tower’s ravens to international notoriety via popular Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts, with followers including actor Hugh Grant and writer Margaret Atwood.

On Instagram, he posts videos of his ravens and photos of the birds – they always seem ready for their close up.

Skaife’s account allows him to form connections with other raven lovers throughout the world:

“I could be having a conversation with someone in New Zealand, someone in North America, someone in Russia, at the same time, talking about the same thing,” he says.

Skaife says living in the Tower of London is “an honor and a privilege.”

“It is one of the greatest things that I’ve ever managed to achieve in my life, especially being able to be the Ravenmaster here,” he adds.

The Tower of London, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB