St. Paul's Cathedral
Cathedral · Blackfriars
St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
Highlights
Masterpiece dome, Whispering Gallery, tombs, and city views
St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom Get directions
Masterpiece dome, Whispering Gallery, tombs, and city views
St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom Get directions
"Listening to Christmas carols is one of the most festive feelings you can conjure, but add a backdrop of Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural marvel, St Paul’s Cathedral, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for something really special."
"One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, St. Paul's (finished in 1708) is the masterpiece of architect Sir Christopher Wren, and its towering dome is probably second on the definitive list of symbols of London after Big Ben. It's awe-inspiring, magical yet somber and reflective, a place for prayer whether you're religious or not." - Ramsay Short, Sonya Barber
"A more traditional yet just as impressive feature of London’s skyline is St Paul’s Cathedral. While the cathedral itself dates back 1,400 years, the current structure was reconstructed after the destruction of the Great Fire of London. Inside, climb 257 stairs to enter the cathedral’s famous domed ceiling. Within the domed roof, you will find the Whispering Galleries that were designed to hear a whisper from the opposite side. Climb a little further to the Stone Gallery (376 steps) and The Golden Gallery (528 steps) for wonderful rooftop views across the city. When you’re back at ground level, head downstairs to the crypts, which contain the tombs of Wellington, Nelson, and Sir Christopher Wren. St Paul’s is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday and is closed for service on Sundays. Attend one of the choral evensongs at 5:00 PM from Monday to Saturday for an experience like no other." - MATADOR_NETWORK
"In the walkway that circles the inside of Christopher Wren’s great dome whispered words can be heard clearly directly across 137 feet. The trick of acoustics is an artifact of the perfection of the dome, which was completed in 1710. The current cathedral is thought to be the fourth cathedral on that spot, replacing the third incarnation which was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren, who had already been planning on retrofitting the existing cathedral, took on the monumental task of creating a new central cathedral. Astonishingly, he was also responsible for the rebuilding of an additional 50 parish churches during the same period. His design was modern and quite different than the earlier cathedral design, incorporating a massive dome designed in homage to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The first stone was laid in 1677, and it opened in 1697, just 32 years after the fire - a lighting quick build, in cathedral terms. The dome was completed after opening, and the building was declared complete in 1710. It is the largest cathedral in England, and considered Wren’s masterpiece. Wren became the first of many prominent people interred in St. Paul’s after his death in 1723. His epitaph reads “Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice”, Latin for “Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you”. St. Paul’s was struck by, but survived bombing raids in WWII, and remains an active church. The Whispering Gallery is one of three galleries accessible in the cathedral. It is located at the top of 259 steps, 99 feet above the floor of the cathedral, which is decorated with a compass rose." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"St Paul’s Cathedral held a memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II on Friday, September 9, attended by the Prime Minister and senior ministers. It was open to the public with 2,000 tickets available."
