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ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL  |
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St Paul's Cathedral |
Considered to be the world’s first Protestant Cathedral |
St Paul's Cathedral, considered to be the world’s first Protestant Cathedral, stands on the original site of a Roman temple to the Goddess Diana. The St Paul’s that you see today was built after Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design a replacement for Old St Paul’s, which was destroyed in the great fire of London in 1666. His first two designs were turned down before finally his third design was accepted, and work begun in 1675. The first service was held in 1697 but it was a further 13 years before work was completed in 1710. |
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The Clock Tower |
Did you know? |
The left tower of St Paul’s houses the largest bell in England, named "Great Paul". It was cast in 1882 and weighs 17-tonnes. |
St. Paul's was a great inspiration during the Second World War; when much of the surrounding area was destroyed during the Blitz, pictures were shown of St. Paul's standing steadfast. A bomb did actually hit the Cathedral on the west side, although it did not explode. It demolished the High Alter and damaged the Crypt as well as many of the stained glass windows. These were later replaced with clear glass windows, as was Sir Christopher Wren’s original intention. When the bomb was exploded safely off-site, a 100-foot (30-metre) crater was left in its place. |
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Standing up gloriously out of the flames and smoke of surrounding buildings, St. Paul's Cathedral is pictured during the great fire raid of Sunday December 29th 1940 |
Photo by Herbert Mason 1940 |
The interior of St. Paul's, like the exterior, is dominated by its great Dome, one of the largest Cathedral domes in the world, at a total height of 355-feet (108-meters) above ground. Around the Dome there are three Galleries, the most famous of which is the Whispering Gallery. It runs around the interior, and is 259 steps from ground level. The acoustics in this part of the Cathedral make words whispered to the wall audible 100-feet (30-metres) away on the opposite side. The Stone Gallery is 378 steps from ground level, on the exterior of the Dome and from here you have a wonderful view over London. The most superb views however, are from the Golden Gallery, which is 530 steps from ground level, the highest point of the outer Dome. |
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From the Whispering Gallery |
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Looking up into the dome from the ground |
Inside St Paul’s you will find massive arches, colourful mosaic ceilings, stunning choir stalls and beautiful carved marble. The cathedral is full of memorials to war heroes and artists, including Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. The South Quire Isle contains a marble effigy of John Donne who died in 1631, a Dean of Old St. Paul's and one of Britain's finest Poets. This is one of the few effigies to have survived the great fire in 1666, only because it fell down into the Crypt as the fire raged. Today you can still see scorch marks on the base of the statue. |
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Did you know? |
After the great fire of London in 1666, a stone was found in the wreckage of the destroyed St Paul’s with its inscription still visible; ‘I am able to rise again’. This gave inspiration to the idea of rebuilding the Cathedral after the fire, and is why there is now a phoenix carved in the centre of the building just underneath the dome – a symbol of rising from the fire to live again. |
The Crypt of St Paul’s is thought to be the largest in Europe, containing around 200 memorials, including the tomb of Sir Alexander Fleming who discovered penicillin, and Florence Nightingale who pioneered standards for nursing. There is also an Artist’s Corner, with memorials to some of the most accomplished artists and composers of past times. |
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Horation Nelson's Tomb in the crypt by reverendlukewarm |
Surrounded by tombs and memorials to his family, is the simple marble slab marking the resting place of Sir Christopher Wren. Above is the inscription chosen by his son "lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice", meaning “reader if you seek his monument, look around”. |
The Cathedral is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 4pm (times may vary) |
Entry costs £10 for adults, £9 concessions |
 St Pauls |
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