| Photo Information |
Copyright: Terez Anon (terez93)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 63 W: 72 N: 239]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (629) |
| Genre: Places |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2000-08 |
| Categories: Architecture |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-12-21 15:40 |
| Viewed: 540 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
| St. Paul’s Cathedral: London-Arguably the most famous cathedral in London, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican church, located on Ludgate Hill. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of London. The much-celebrated present structure dates to the 17th century, but is actually London’s fifth St. Paul’s Cathedral. There was a late-Roman See in London but the first religious structure on the site was probably a wooden Saxon cathedral, founded in 604. However, reportedly, the area also had a significant pre-Christian tradition and past, in that the site was previously home to an ancient megalith (stone circle) and later was the site of a temple to Diana. The builder of the latest structure, Christopher Wren, allegedly found no evidence of the previous structures, but it’s likely that over many subsequent building phases all evidence of any previous structures, especially an ancient stone circle, would have disappeared. The second Christian structure, built in 685, was constructed from stone and was the last resting place of St. Sebbi, King of Essex. This church was sacked by the Vikings, however, in 961, so yet another cathedral was begun in 962. Ethelred the Undeady was interred there, but the structure again was burned in a devastating fire of 1087. The fourth St. Paul’s was begun by the Normans after the fire, and construction continued for over 200 years. It stood until the 17th century, and underwent various phases of construction, but was gutted by the Great Fire in 1666. So, Christopher Wren’s St. Paul was begun, in 1675. The first stone was laid in 1677. It was completed in 1708, on Wren’s 76th birthday. It’s constructed of Portland stone in a stately late Renaissance style. The dome was inspired by that of St. Peter’s Basilica. Wren was interred here also, in a large crypt that features more than 200 memorials. Probably the most famous tomb, his monument reads: “Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice” (Reader, if you seek his monument, look around [you]). Most of its treasures have been lost, many of which were taken in a single night during a major robbery in 1810. Other memorials include those of the Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson, T. E. Lawrence, Florence Nightingale and Sir Winston Churchill. The cathedral missed being completely destroyed during the Blitz, heavy bombing of London during WWII, as it was struck by bombs in 1940 and 1941, but remarkably it survived. It suffered some damage but was largely restored. A famous photograph by Herbert Mason shows the Cathedral standing amidst the ruins of the Second Great Fire of London, seemingly defiant in the face of the terrible destruction. It’s one of the most famous sites in London. Even today, the royal family holds most of their important events there, such as weddings, christenings and funerals. It was the site of Charles and Diana’s wedding. It’s open to the public. |
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