St. Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral. (Open Map)
(75)

Description

Sir Christopher Wren's 300-year-old architectural masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral, is an iconic structure in London, towering over Ludgate Hill. Its history of Christian worship dates back over 1,400 years, with pagan worship preceding. Inside the cathedral lies an impressive dome, which rises 85 meters from the floor and is supported by eight columns. It is composed of a plastered brick inner dome, a nonstructural lead outer dome, and a brick cone between them. Climbing the 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, visitors can access the exterior Stone Gallery and view the cityscape. Further up, 152 iron steps will bring one to the Golden Gallery at the top, offering breathtaking views of London.

The crypt of St Paul's Cathedral honors many prominent British figures, including the Duke of Wellington, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, and Christopher Wren, who famously said, "If you seek his monument, look around you." The structure was built between 1675 and 1710, with five cathedrals preceding it, the first one being erected in 604 BCE. During the Blitz, when the Luftwaffe attempted to set London ablaze for the second time, the cathedral dome miraculously survived, becoming a symbol of resistance. In remembrance of the 32,000 civilians killed, the People of London Memorial stands to the north of the cathedral.