History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

History
St Paul's Cathedral is one of London's most famous buildings. It may come as a surprise then, to learn that, although there has been a cathedral on the spot for 1700 years, the present building is only just over 300 years old.

The first was built in 604 by the first Christian English King, Ethelbert, ruler of Kent. It was destoyed by fire and was rebuilt around 680. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, the second cathedral lasted for less than 300 years, being destroyed by Vikings and again rebuilt in 962. This was also destroyed by fire, in 1087.

During the English Civil War and the period of the Cromwell's rule, the Commonwealth, an enormous amount of damage was done to the fabric of the building. Windows, statues, carvings and the nave roof were destroyed. During the war, the Parliamentary army used the nave to stable their horses and later the porch of the Cathedral was rented to small businesses.

In 1660 King Charles II was restored to the throne. By this time St Paul's was in a calamitous state so Christopher Wren was consulted about repairs to restore its former grandeur. Before the recommended repairs could be undertaken, the cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The ruins were demolished and a new design by Wren, the one we see today, was built. The only surviving artefact from the old Cathedral was a statue of John Donne which can now be seen in the South Aisle. Building was completed 1710.

During the Second World War's Blitz, St Paul's Cathedral became a great symbol of how Londoners could 'take it'. After each night's bombing, there was St Paul's, still intact. That is not to say it survived unscathed. A bomb hit the north transept and another destroyed the High Altar which was replaced by one commemorating the dead of the First and Second World Wars. The chapel behind the High Altar, also damaged, was restored. It is called the American Chapel and dedicated to the Americans who died in Britain during the Second World War.

St Paul's has been the scene of many great State ceremonies including:

• a thanksgiving for the end of the Napoleonic Wars
• the Duke of Wellington's funeral
• the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
• a service of commemoration and thanks for the life of the Queen Mother
• a thanksgiving service, attended by the Queen, as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations

Outstanding Attractions

• The Whispering Gallery is probably the most famous of St Paul's attractions. Climb up 259 steps into the lower part of the dome and if you whisper on one side of the gallery, someone can hear it on the other side.
• Are you up to climbing 378 steps? If you are, visit the Stone Gallery. This is on the exterior of the dome and above the Whispering Gallery.
• Go even higher to the Golden Gallery, also on the exterior of the dome. You will have to climb 530 steps to see panoramic views across London from this, the smallest of the Cathedral's galleries.
• The Great Organ is the third largest in the UK and was installed in the Cathedral in 1695. The outer case is by Grinling Gibbons.
• In the North Quire Aisle you can see a sculpture of Mother and Child by Henry Moore.
• In the South Transept you can see memorials to, amongst others, Nelson and Scott of the Antartic.
• The Crypt is the largest in Europe and contains memorials to some of the country's greatest men including the tombs of the Duke of Wellington, Admiral Nelson and Sir Christopher Wren whose epitaph says "If you seek his monument look around you".

Quick Facts

Location: Just off Cannon Street

Transport Links: St Paul's Underground station on the Central Line
Blackfriars and Cannon Street mainline stations

Admission Charges: Adults - £6, children - £3. Don't forget that the London Pass can save you the cost of admission to St Paul's.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8.30am, last admission for sightseeing 4pm. Before you make a special journey, do check because the Cathedral is sometimes closed during these times for special services.

More information can be found on the St Paul's Cathedral website.

History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

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Copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved
Picture copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved

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