Old St Paul's Cathedral
Old St Paul's Cathedral, Former cathedral in the United Kingdom
Old St Paul's Cathedral was a Gothic church located on Ludgate Hill in central London, distinguished by its tall spire that could be seen from great distances. The interior extended about 179 meters in length and contained massive stone columns, pointed arch windows, and a high vaulted ceiling that created a sense of spaciousness.
Following a fire in 1087, construction of a new cathedral began and took over 200 years, introducing Gothic style elements with pointed arches. The spire was struck by lightning in 1561 and collapsed, and the entire structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
The main hall served as Paul's Walk, a public gathering space where Londoners exchanged news and conducted business. Preachers attracted large crowds in the churchyard to hear religious debates and announcements.
The site on Ludgate Hill is accessible on foot from central London and is located near the current cathedral designed by Wren. Visitors today can view exhibits and remains that recall the earlier church.
The shrine of Saint Erkenwald attracted pilgrims who believed in miraculous healings and traveled from distant places. After the lightning strike of 1561, the spire remained unbuilt, and many Londoners interpreted this as a divine sign.
Location: City of London
Inception: 1087
Architects: Christopher Wren
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Height: 150 m
Length: 179 m
Website: http://stpauls.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.51360,-0.09833
Latest update: December 8, 2025 08:20
This collection documents major buildings that have disappeared throughout history. It includes religious structures such as the 15th-century Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, whose glazed bricks gleamed in sunlight, as well as destroyed palaces, theaters, and public buildings from various periods and...
St Paul's Cathedral
20 m
Temple Bar Gate
115 m
Paternoster Row
124 m
Statue of Queen Anne
109 m
National Firefighters Memorial
79 m
Paul's walk
39 m
St Augustine Watling Street
97 m
Paternoster
123 m
St Mary Magdalen Old Fish Street
135 m
John Donne Memorial
73 m
Statue of John Wesley
73 m
St Lawrence and Mary Magdalene Drinking Fountain
103 m
St Michael-le-Querne
106 m
Statue of Thomas Becket
56 m
The Young Lovers
90 m
The Centre Page
116 m
St Paul's Cross
83 m
Railings To Churchyard Of Cathedral Church Of St Paul
82 m
Panyer Alley Boy
139 m
Pump On West Side Of Chapter House
99 m
St Pauls Cathedral Choir School
105 m
K6 Telephone Kiosks At St Paul's Cathedral
88 m
Paternoster Square Column
139 m
Wall Fountain in Festival Gardens
101 m
Angel I to V
120 m
Screen Wall And Gateways To Forecourt Of St Paul's Deanery
140 m
Chapter House Of St Paul's Cathedral
93 m
Footings Of Destroyed Cloister And Chapter House
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