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St Paul's Cathedral
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
The only totally "modern" church in this list, though the location has a history extending back to 604. The first Norman cathedral on this site was begun in the 11th century, and it took two centuries to finish. That huge building fell into disrepair and became a market place and pedestrian thoroughfare. In the 17th century Inigo Jones was commissioned to rebuild it, but the Civil War put a halt to that. Charles II asked the young Christopher Wren to draw up plans for remodelling, but before any work was done, the entire structure was burned to the ground in the Great Fire of 1665.
Within days Wren presented plans for a new cathedral. This plan was rejected (partly for drawing too heavily on Catholic tradition), and Wren came back with another plan that was approved. He then quietly (read secretly) slipped in most of his original plan as the work proceded. Thank heaven Wren managed to build it his way, for the result is an architectural wonder. Classically styled, and surmounted with a glorious dome, from the top of which (if you have the legs for the climb) you can gain great city views. Inside the dome is the Whispering Gallery, so named because if you whisper into the wall, your words can be heard all the way across the dome, fully 112 feet away. The choir stalls are by the 17th century woodcarving genius Grinling Gibbons. The interior of St. Paul's is quite a shock if you are used to the sombre tones of English medieval churches; rich colour and ornate classical decoration dominates the scene, yet it is built to such perfect proportions that the effect is uplifting and awe-inspiring. There are several hundred monuments in the church, including that to poet John Donne, which survived the fire to the old cathedral. In the crypt are the tombs of Wellington and Lord Nelson, as well as that of Wren himself. The Latin inscription on Wren's tomb fittingly translates as, "Reader, if you seek his monument, look about you".
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The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard, London,
Greater London,
England, EC4M 8AD
About St Paul's Cathedral
Attraction Type: Cathedral
Website: St Paul's Cathedral
Email: chapterhouse@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
Phone: 020 7236 4128
Fax: 020 7248 3104
Location
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OS TQ320811
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
London
City Information Centre
St. Paul's Churchyard
London
Greater London
England
EC4M 8BX
Tel: 020 7332 1456
Web: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
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