St. Paul's Cathedral, with its origins dating back to the 7th century, is currently the fifth incarnation of the cathedral. It was designed by the genius Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666, which had consumed about two-thirds of the area in the one-square-mile City of London. The cathedral was completed in 1711 and is considered the finest example of British Baroque architecture. Sir Christopher Wren had a special affinity for the dome, visiting the cathedral multiple times, even sitting beneath the dome for an entire day. It is said that he visited the cathedral until the day he passed away. (2023 marks the 300th anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren's death, and he is buried inside the cathedral.) If you ascend the 528 steps of the Golden Gallery, you'll reach a height of 85 meters above ground, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of London. (See photo)
St. Paul's Cathedral has been the venue for celebrations of royal jubilees, several royal weddings, and the state funeral of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon's army in France.
It is also famous as a setting for numerous movies, including Mary Poppins Returns, Mission Impossible, Paddington 2, Harry Potter, The Favourite, and more. The cathedral's interior, bathed in natural light, is a must-see.
Please note that there is a separate entrance fee.
