St Paul's Cathedral, Anglican cathedral in the City of London, England
St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican house of worship in the City of London, England, built with Portland limestone walls and topped by a large dome. Inside, rows of columns line the nave, transepts, and choir, while mosaics by William Blake Richmond cover walls and vaults, and the triple-layered dome rests on eight arches.
Christopher Wren designed this house of worship to replace the one destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, with construction starting in 1675 and finishing in 1710. During World War II, it survived bombing raids largely undamaged while much of the surrounding area was destroyed.
The cathedral hosts state ceremonies: the funerals of Nelson (1806), Wellington, Churchill and Thatcher, and the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The crypt holds tombs and memorials of figures such as Nelson and Wellington. The 1:24 Great Model designed by Wren is displayed inside the cathedral.
The climb to the top of the dome involves several hundred steps through three galleries that offer views over the city. Access is possible Monday through Saturday, while Sunday is reserved for worship only, and audio guides are available in several languages.
The Whispering Gallery about 30 meters above the floor lets whispers travel clearly along the circular wall, even to the opposite side. Geometric staircase designs shift from triangular to circular plans, showing Wren's mathematical precision in solving building challenges.
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