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St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Good Essays

St. Paul's Cathedral in London is the seat of the Bishop of London and a major London landmark. It is located on Ludgate Hill in the financial district known as the City of London.

The present St. Paul's Cathedral, which was built between 1675 and 1710, is the fourth cathedral to occupy the site, which was sacred even before Christianity arrived. The cathedral's immediate predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The cathedral enjoyed by visitors today was designed by court architect Sir Christopher Wren. Wren's original, grander plan met with considerable resistance from the conservative Dean and Chapter. The present building reflects a compromise, but still reflects the grandeur of Wren's design.

History …show more content…

Michael and St. George is across from St. Dunstan's on the right side (south aisle). This was originally the consistory court - the place where the bishop sat in judgment over the clergy, or priests. It was used as a studio for the construction of Wellington's monument between 1858 and 1878.

Crypt

St. Paul's substantial cathedral crypt contains over 200 memorials as well as another chapel and the treasury.

Members of the royal family are buried in Westminster Abbey, but many other notable figures are buried in St. Paul's Cathedral crypt, such as Florence Nightengale and Lord Nelson.

Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of the cathedral, was fittingly the first person to be buried here, in 1723. The inscription on his burial slab states, "Reader, if you seek his memorial, look all around you." Look for Wren's tomb all the way to the east end of the crypt, under the altar.

Dome and Galleries

The inside of the dome is decorated with frescos by Sir James Thornhill, the most important painter of Wren's time.

The dome contains three circular galleries - the internal Whispering Gallery, the external Stone Gallery and the external Golden Gallery. The Whispering Gallery derives its name from its unusual acoustics, which cause whispers to echo around the dome.

Choir

The choir extends to the east end of the dome. It is home to the cathedral's great organ, which was ommissioned in 1694. The current instrument is the third

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