Like
many London fixtures, the history of Covent Garden
is long and murky. Its name is derived from the fact
that at one time the garden of a convent was on this
spot. The Benadictine Abbey of Saint Peter established
the garden in the 13th century, but probably couldn't
have imagined what would be there today. The building
we see now is an 1830's creation. It was more of a
gallery than a covered plaza, but the building's signature
glass and iron roof was added later. Also added later
is the flower market, which now houses the London
Transport Museum. However, the most dramatic change
came in the 1970's when the mongers left for a new
building in southwest London. The city bought the
building and started a major renovation project turning
it into a more modern shopping plaza.
