Paternoster Row, Pedestrian street at St Paul's Cathedral, London, England
Paternoster Row is a pedestrian street extending north from St Paul's Cathedral with modern buildings and public gathering areas in the financial district. The street integrates contemporary architecture with restored historical details within the larger Paternoster Square complex.
Medieval merchants sold prayer beads along this street, which later became a publishing hub for London until World War II. The wartime bombing destroyed much of the area, leading to its complete redevelopment with modern buildings in subsequent decades.
The name reflects clergy members reciting the Lord's Prayer while proceeding to the cathedral during religious ceremonies. This spiritual heritage remains visible in how the street connects the neighborhood to St Paul's as a place of worship.
The pedestrian area connects directly to St Paul's underground station and includes numerous cafes, shops, and office spaces throughout Paternoster Square. This convenient location makes it easy to visit while exploring nearby attractions in the city center.
Sisters Charlotte and Anne Brontë visited the Chapter Coffeehouse on this street in 1847 to meet their publisher about the Jane Eyre manuscript. This encounter represents a notable moment in the careers of two major English writers.
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