Westminster Abbey, Gothic collegiate church in Westminster, England
Description
Westminster Abbey is an Anglican collegiate church in Westminster and one of the most prominent examples of Gothic architecture in England. Pointed arch windows with medieval stained glass, ribbed vaults, and stone columns organize the interior, while twin towers of Portland stone dominate the western facade and Henry VII's Chapel with finely carved details forms the eastern end.
History
King Henry III began construction of the current building in 1245, replacing the earlier Romanesque church with a Gothic structure. Later monarchs added chapels and side wings, and the building remained a royal church even after Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, surviving bomb damage during the Second World War.
Culture
The monarchy uses this building for coronations, weddings, and services, so visitors experience a living royal tradition. Literature enthusiasts visit the corner with memorials to English writers, where they discover graves and inscriptions of famous authors and often leave flowers.
Practical
Visitors must book tickets in advance through the official website, with guided tours offered in several languages. Wheelchair access is limited because some areas are not accessible, and photography restrictions apply inside the building.
Did you know?
Every British monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066 has been crowned in this building, with the medieval Coronation Chair holding the Stone of Scone. More than thirty-three hundred people are buried or honored by memorials inside, making this one of the most significant burial sites in Europe.
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The Unknown Warrior
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St Margaret's Church, Westminster
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Henry VII Chapel
54 m
Middlesex Guildhall
121 m
Statue of Oliver Cromwell
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Statue of Nelson Mandela
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Ashburnham House
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Statue of George V
86 m
Statue of Robert Peel
121 m
Imperial Monumental Halls and Tower
69 m
Westminster Scholars War Memorial
124 m
The Great Cloisters of Westminster Abbey
40 m
Combined Services Memorial
122 m
Abbey Precinct Railings To West Of Abbey And To East End And Abbey Close
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Monument to Major-General James Wolfe
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St Margaret's Churchyard Railings, Obelisks And Bollards
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19,19a And 20, Broad Sanctuary Sw1
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The Chapter House and Pyx Chamber in the abbey cloisters, Westminster Abbey
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10 Lamp Standards Round Central Green Of Dean's Yard
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