St Paul's Cathedral, Anglican cathedral in City of London, England
The structure extends 158 meters in length and features a 111-meter-high dome crafted from Portland limestone in the English Baroque style. The western facade displays two towers and a triangular pediment with relief scenes. The interior divides into nave, transepts, and choir, decorated with mosaics by William Blake Richmond. The triple-shell dome construction rests on eight arches and eight massive pillars, while the outer lead-covered dome is crowned by a golden cross standing four meters tall.
Christopher Wren designed this cathedral to replace the predecessor destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, with construction beginning in 1675 and completion in 1710. King William III and Queen Mary II commissioned Wren for the project after several earlier designs were rejected. During World War II, the building survived London bombing raids largely intact while surrounding areas suffered heavy damage. Extensive restoration work between 1996 and 2011 renewed facades, interior furnishings, and structural elements.
This Anglican place of worship hosted the weddings of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, along with Prince William and Catherine Middleton, establishing it as a significant location for royal ceremonies. The cathedral serves as the seat of the Bishop of London and remains an active house of worship for Anglican services. Major national commemorations and thanksgiving services are held here regularly, reflecting its central role in the religious life of the nation.
Access to the top of the dome requires climbing 528 steps through three galleries for views across the city. The building opens to visitors Monday through Saturday, with Sunday reserved for worship services only. The nearest underground station St Paul's sits directly at the entrance, and several bus routes stop nearby. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, and guided tours provide detailed information about architecture and history. Wheelchair users can reach the ground floor and crypt through accessible ramps.
The Whispering Gallery at 30 meters above the floor allows whispers to travel clearly around its circular wall. The American Memorial Chapel behind the high altar honors the 28,000 American service members based in Britain who died during World War II. Geometric staircases transitioning from triangular plans to circular galleries demonstrate Wren's mathematical precision in solving architectural challenges. A memorial chapel for the Order of the British Empire sits in the crypt alongside tombs of notable figures including the painter Turner.
Location: City of London
Location: London
Inception: 1675
Architects: Christopher Wren
Architectural style: English Baroque
Height: 67 m
Length: 158 m
Width: 37 m
Diameter: 34 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Made from material: Portland limestone
Address: St Paul's Churchyard EC4M 8AD London
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:30-16:00
Phone: +442072468350
Website: http://stpauls.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.51378,-0.09831
Latest update: November 28, 2025 16:14
This collection brings together notable domes and cupolas from all continents, signs of diverse architectural traditions extending from the Vatican to Australia, Russia to the United Arab Emirates. From the famous dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to the colorful domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, the Renaissance dome of Florence Cathedral, to the cast-iron dome of the US Capitol in Washington, each structure tells a particular story and reflects the ambitions of its era. These buildings span several centuries of architectural innovation and serve various functions: religious structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire, civil buildings such as Oxford's Radcliffe Camera or the Australian Exhibition Palace, and even thermal spas like Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths. Each dome illustrates construction techniques and aesthetic decisions specific to its culture, offering insight into skills that enabled the creation of these monumental coverings.
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289 mReviews
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As beautiful on the outside as on the inside. It is somewhat the gateway to the City district!
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