Located in the heart of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral encompasses more than 1,400 years of history, having been rebuilt multiple times across the centuries. Originally constructed by the Bishop of London in A.D. 604, the cathedral was and remains dedicated to the Apostle Paul.
Following the original cathedral’s destruction by fire in 1087, William the Conqueror initiated the construction of a new church, a project that took more than 200 years to complete. The impressive new St. Paul’s, finished in 1240, was heavily influenced by the French Gothic style and was one of the largest churches in Europe.
St. Paul’s was consecrated in 1640, but the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed it once again. British architect Christopher Wren was commissioned to design a new cathedral in the baroque style, incorporating classical elements. This structure was completed in 1710.
Notable features include a dome inspired by Michelangelo’s dome at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and an elaborate west-facing façade with a large portico and twin towers. Drawing inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, Wren incorporated Corinthian columns, pilasters, and pediments, blending these elements with baroque drama to create a uniquely English interpretation of the style.
St. Paul’s cross-shaped interior features a long nave, frescoes, and a choir. Its crypt, rare in extending beneath the length of the building, serves as the resting place for such famous British figures as Adm. Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
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