St Paul's Cathedral
Throughout our trip we have seen so many cathedrals and churches, both still standing and in ruins. I think the one that stands out is St Paul's, not only in its difference in architecture but also in its simplicity on the inside. We have seen so many gothic style buildings that they all started to blend together, I couldn't remember where one began and another ended. St Paul's though is built in a totally different style brought over from France in the late 1600s. It was commissioned to be built by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire in 1666. The city of London needed a new start, a facelift after the disaster. The building has since become a beacon of British identity. The domed English Baroque centre of worship stands 365 ft tall (one foot for every day of the year) and is filled with purpose and meaning. Considered Wren's greatest accomplishment, it has become a symbol of enduring to the end.
There are a lot of things that I can mention and discuss about the cathedral, be it the incredible architecture, the history, or its importance in London society. One thing I do want to touch on is the interior. Not only is it massive, but it is also a lot less crowded than the other important places of worship we have visited. Instead of being filled to the brim with shrines and tombs like Westminster Abbey, the Cathedral is very empty with only a few statues and memorials doting the sides of the halls. The sheer height of the ceiling, especially under the dome, feels like something out of Harry Potter, that it's bigger on the inside. At the centre of the cathedral, visitors can look up into the inner dome and take in the beautiful artwork that was painted and created using mosaics. Meant to rival St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, the artwork depicts major moments in the life of St Paul. The dome is supported by a series of arches. Above four of them are mosaics of major moments in the life of Christ, including his crucifixion and resurrection. These masterpieces left me with a sense of awe, and I had to tear my eyes away because my neck was starting to ache from staring upward. When visitors stand under the dome, their eyes naturally drift upward towards the heavens, Wren built the cathedral for this purpose in order to remind worshipers of the role of God in their lives. The whole building, be it through the architecture, the choir and alter, or the artwork, is meant to show devotion to God.
Another feature I want to touch on about the cathedral is the different levels. Visitors can climb some 500 steps to reach the very top of the dome. There are three stops on the way up, the first being the whispering gallery, so called because of the acoustics that comes from the perfect circle. One can whisper on one side of the room, and their voice can be heard directly on the other. The view from the whispering gallery down to the floor of the cathedral is amazing. You can see the painted ceiling closer and the golden mosaics of Christ's life are even more beautiful from above. I do not suggest leaning over the railing for those who suffer from a fear of heights or vertigo.
After enjoying the view from the inner dome, the path to the first stop on the outer dome takes you up another few hundred steps. Outside, you can walk the circumference bottom of the dome and you can see the whole of London. It's breathtaking. It can be difficult to see everything behind the large stone-columned wall that protects visitors from falling, but if you stick your face right in between the columns the view is a lot better. If you put your hand in between to get a better picture, hang on tight so it doesn't fall because there is no way that you would get it back in one piece. The third and final level is at the top of the dome, another 100 steps up from the second stop. They have to regulate this area due to its small size so you will likely wait in line for five to ten minutes. On this top level, you are almost 365 ft above street level, and the safety barrier is lower, though still pretty tall, but you have an unobstructed view of London.
Religion has played an interesting role in the development of a British identity. To this day, the monarch is believed to be appointed by God to rule over the country. Not only are they appointed to do this, but they are also appointed to be head of the Church of England, and it is believed that they are allowed to do these things because God has allowed it. Christianity first entered England soon after the Romans left, and it grew from there. The UK is still known as a primarily Christian country, and played a pivotal role in the spread of this particular religion, mostly from conquering a good chunk of the world. Christianity has shaped British values, and the ideas that are taught in the bible have played an intrimental role into sahping what it means to be british.
There are a lot of things that I can mention and discuss about the cathedral, be it the incredible architecture, the history, or its importance in London society. One thing I do want to touch on is the interior. Not only is it massive, but it is also a lot less crowded than the other important places of worship we have visited. Instead of being filled to the brim with shrines and tombs like Westminster Abbey, the Cathedral is very empty with only a few statues and memorials doting the sides of the halls. The sheer height of the ceiling, especially under the dome, feels like something out of Harry Potter, that it's bigger on the inside. At the centre of the cathedral, visitors can look up into the inner dome and take in the beautiful artwork that was painted and created using mosaics. Meant to rival St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, the artwork depicts major moments in the life of St Paul. The dome is supported by a series of arches. Above four of them are mosaics of major moments in the life of Christ, including his crucifixion and resurrection. These masterpieces left me with a sense of awe, and I had to tear my eyes away because my neck was starting to ache from staring upward. When visitors stand under the dome, their eyes naturally drift upward towards the heavens, Wren built the cathedral for this purpose in order to remind worshipers of the role of God in their lives. The whole building, be it through the architecture, the choir and alter, or the artwork, is meant to show devotion to God.
Another feature I want to touch on about the cathedral is the different levels. Visitors can climb some 500 steps to reach the very top of the dome. There are three stops on the way up, the first being the whispering gallery, so called because of the acoustics that comes from the perfect circle. One can whisper on one side of the room, and their voice can be heard directly on the other. The view from the whispering gallery down to the floor of the cathedral is amazing. You can see the painted ceiling closer and the golden mosaics of Christ's life are even more beautiful from above. I do not suggest leaning over the railing for those who suffer from a fear of heights or vertigo.
After enjoying the view from the inner dome, the path to the first stop on the outer dome takes you up another few hundred steps. Outside, you can walk the circumference bottom of the dome and you can see the whole of London. It's breathtaking. It can be difficult to see everything behind the large stone-columned wall that protects visitors from falling, but if you stick your face right in between the columns the view is a lot better. If you put your hand in between to get a better picture, hang on tight so it doesn't fall because there is no way that you would get it back in one piece. The third and final level is at the top of the dome, another 100 steps up from the second stop. They have to regulate this area due to its small size so you will likely wait in line for five to ten minutes. On this top level, you are almost 365 ft above street level, and the safety barrier is lower, though still pretty tall, but you have an unobstructed view of London.
Religion has played an interesting role in the development of a British identity. To this day, the monarch is believed to be appointed by God to rule over the country. Not only are they appointed to do this, but they are also appointed to be head of the Church of England, and it is believed that they are allowed to do these things because God has allowed it. Christianity first entered England soon after the Romans left, and it grew from there. The UK is still known as a primarily Christian country, and played a pivotal role in the spread of this particular religion, mostly from conquering a good chunk of the world. Christianity has shaped British values, and the ideas that are taught in the bible have played an intrimental role into sahping what it means to be british.
(Above) St Paul's from the street level
London from the second level
London from the top level.
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