St Paul's Cathedral | History, facts, highlights & more

The West Front of St Paul's Cathedral is distinguished by a grand portico supported by towering columns, leading to an upper colonnade and a detailed pediment. This pediment features Francis Bird’s bas-relief, The Conversion of St. Paul. Above, the statues of Saints Paul, James, and Peter adorn the facade, complemented by two imposing bell towers.

St Paul's Cathedral features a remarkable double-shelled dome, the second largest globally. It stands 366 feet tall with a cross atop and 34 m in diameter on the outside. This architectural marvel comprises an outer dome, a supportive brick cone, and an inner dome inspired by Michelangelo's St. Peter's Basilica but enhanced with additional structural supports.

St Paul's Cathedral is designed for unobstructed views of the altar and pulpit, ensuring full engagement during the Mass. The interior, bathed in natural light from the dome and transept windows, features choir stalls and an organ. The area near the high altar, restored with mosaics after Blitz damage, includes a chapel honoring American WWII service members.

The eastern end of St Paul's Cathedral features the High Altar and Apse, which was dedicated in 1958 as the American Memorial Chapel. Funded by donations, it commemorates over 28,000 Americans who served in the UK during WWII, with their names inscribed in the Roll of Honour at the chapel's altar.

The High Altar of St Paul's Cathedral, crafted from a four-ton slab of Italian marble based on Sir Christopher Wren's original sketches, memorializes WWII casualties. Atop the altar sits a nearly 10-foot-tall cross adorned with stone and silver, flanked by two five-foot gilded candlesticks. An oak canopy, added in 1958, crowns the ensemble.

Flanking St Paul's Cathedral’s West Front are the Baroque-style West Towers. The southwest tower houses a clock with three faces and two bells, Great Tom and Great Paul. Great Paul, once the UK's largest bell until 2012, tolls for significant events, while Great Tom chimes hourly and marks Royal family deaths, Bishop or Lord Mayor of London passings.

The West Towers of St Paul's Cathedral anchor the West Front in Baroque style. The southwest tower features a tri-faced clock and harbors the Great Tom and Great Paul bells. Conversely, the northwest tower's upper section remains unfilled. Both buildings, with robust walls and Corinthian columns, are complemented by chapels behind them.

The North and South Churchyards of St Paul's Cathedral are steeped in historical significance. Redesigned in 2008, the South Churchyard mirrors the layout of Old St Paul's Cathedral. Both areas offer secluded garden spaces for events and have been central to London's social and intellectual life, with the North Churchyard hosting gatherings since 1236.

St. Paul's Cross, once an eminent preaching cross and open-air pulpit in the grounds of Old St. Paul's Cathedral, London, was a pivotal public platform during the Tudor and early Stuart periods. It hosted significant political and religious announcements and served as a gathering point for sermons and civic rituals until its destruction in the 17th century.

This crypt is the largest in Europe, covering 30,000 sq. ft., and has existed since the cathedral’s construction in the 17th century. It is home to many notable tombs, including  that of the Duke of Wellington, Admiral Lord Nelson, Sir Christopher Wren, and Florence Nightingale. The crypt also contains several chapels. The Chapel of St. Faith is the oldest, dating to the 12th century, and was originally where the cathedral stands today.

Renowned English architect Christopher Wren designed St Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Through five evolving plans that blended medieval and Baroque elements, his work culminated in 1710 with an iconic dome. Wren's 35-year effort on St Paul's solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in architectural history.

Renowned scientist and architect Robert Hooke played a crucial role in designing St Paul's Cathedral alongside Sir Christopher Wren. Hooke provided essential mathematical and engineering insights, particularly for the dome's curvature, and as City Surveyor, he oversaw London's reconstruction after the 1666 Great Fire.

St Paul's Cathedral, celebrated for its architectural splendor and historical importance, has featured prominently in numerous films, TV shows, and documentaries. Its notable appearances include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Mary Poppins (1964), various episodes of Doctor Who, Lifeforce (1985), The Madness of King George (1994), and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). These representations underscore its status as an enduring symbol and iconic London landmark.

St Paul's Cathedral has hosted several significant art installations with contemporary expression. In 2014, to mark the centenary of World War I, artist Gerry Judah created a striking nave sculpture depicting a charred tree, symbolizing war's devastation. That same year, American artist Bill Viola introduced Martyrs, a permanent video installation that explores themes of suffering and martyrdom. Hughie O'Donoghue's 2018 St Martin of Tours celebrates the life of St Martin, the patron saint of the Order.