St Paul Cathedral London | History, Facts, Highlights & More
Redesigned and rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666, St. Paul's Cathedral has hosted royal weddings, state funerals, famous burials, and more, making it an indelible part of London’s history. Year after year, St Paul’s Cathedral London welcomes tourists from all over the world sealing its position as one of the most popular attractions in London. Get a glimpse into the Cathedral's rich history by accessing the five levels of the Cathedral including the Whispering Gallery with its distinctive acoustics and the Stone and Golden Galleries atop the Dome offering magnificent panoramic views over London.
St Paul's Cathedral | Knowlege Graph
- Architect - Sir Christopher Wren
- Year Built - 1675 - 1710
- Completed - 1710
- Location - St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK
- Opening Times - Mon to Sat - 12 PM - 4:30 PM. The last entry is at 4 PM.
- Annual Visitors Per Year - Approximately 2.14 million.
St Paul's Cathedral London In a Glimpse
- St. Paul's Cathedral’s journey to becoming one of the most awe-inspiring edifices in London has been a long and eventful one. Five different churches were constructed at this site with the first church dedicated to the apostle Paul dating back to 604 AD.
- In 962 and then in 1087, fire wrecked the Cathedral, but each time, it was restored and expanded. Soon, it emerged as one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. In the 13th and 14th centuries, more renovations and extensions ensued, and the cathedral expanded further.
- However, by 1665, St Paul’s Cathedral had started to fall to decay when Christopher Wren put together a plan to renovate it. That was when catastrophe struck in the form of the Great Fire of London in 1666, which destroyed four-fifths of all of London, decimating 13,200 houses and 89 churches, including the St. Paul's Cathedral.
- In 1669, Christopher Wren was tasked with the construction of a new church to replace the damaged Gothic cathedral. The church was then built in a relatively short time with its first stone laid on June 21, 1675, and the building completed in 1711.
- Today, St Paul’s Cathedral, with its rich history and breathtakingly gorgeous architecture, is one of the most sought-after attractions that give you unrivalled views over London.
Inside St Paul's Cathedral London
St Paul's Cathedral Dome
Your visit to St Paul's Cathedral London will not be complete without witnessing its iconic dome. Framed by the spires of Wren’ City churches, St Paul's Cathedral dome stands at a height of 366 ft and has 528 steps. It has dominated the London skyline for over 300 years.
The Whispering Gallery
Witness the Whispering Gallery situated around the dome at a height of 100 feet. There are 259 steps leading up to this spectacular structure that is widely known for its acoustic properties. From here, a further 117 steps lead up to the Stone Gallery around outside of the dome and a further 166 steps that takes you to the Golden Gallery.
The Nave
The nave is the long main section visitors walk along after entering St Paul's Cathedral London, where you’ll get to catch the breathtaking interiors of the dome. Used as both ceremonial and public space, here you’ll get to see the massive 30-foot-tall Great West Door as well as Thornhill’s paintings that depict the eight scenes from the life of St. Paul.
The Crypt
The Crypt contains the tombs of many well-known figures, including the painters' Constable, Turner and Reynolds. Sir Christopher Wren’s tombstone is situated under the south aisle along with two of Britain's greatest heroes - the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Nelson.
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Top 5 Facts About St Paul's Cathedral London
1. St Paul's Cathedral London library houses St Paul's outstanding collection of over 21,000 books and manuscripts dating from 1690
2. St Paul's Cathedral London architect, Sir Christopher Wren was the first person to be buried, in 1723
3. Due to the specific design of St Paul's Cathedral London, its dome carried sound incredible well across the Whispering Gallery
4. St Paul's Cathedral London takes pride in being one of the biggest domes in the world at a height of 366 feet.
5. Yoko Ono, Rebecca Horn, Anthony Gormley, and others have had their works presented in St Paul's Cathedral London.
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All Your Questions Answered About St Paul’s Cathedral London
A. No, Canterbury Cathedral. founded in 597CE, is the oldest cathedral in the UK.
A. Visitors can marvel at the interiors and learn about the history of the cathedral inside St Paul’s Cathedral London. You can head to the dome to enjoy the panoramic views of the London city or make your way to the crypt to see the burial site of several prominent leaders.
A. You will need at least 2 hours to cover all the highlights of St Paul’s Cathedral London.
A. The crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral London buries several great men. This includes Sir Christopher Wren, and two greatest heroes of England - Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
A. St Paul’s Cathedral London holds over 200 memorials, a chapel, and a treasury.
