St Pauls Cathedral 29th January 2011

After that we wandered along to St Pauls Cathedral.  As we arrived there was a bridal party just emerging and having photos on the steps.  Most of the men were in military uniform and they were the green berets.  They are the elite special forces over here.  So, lots of the lovely people milling around with beautiful clothes and stunning hats on the ladies.  In we go.  What an amazing building.

The current cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.  The first cathedral was built on the site in 604AD.
Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London’s leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces.

Since the first service was held here in 1697, Wren's masterpiece has been where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated. Important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the launch of the Festival of Britain; the Service of Remembrance and Commemoration for the 11th September 2001: the 80th and 100th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and, most recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. The crypt below the cathedral holds the tombs of many history making people including Lord Horatio Nelson.  Christopher Wren (the architect) has many famous buildings and monuments to his name in London.  The cathedral artwork is truly amazing and we could just sit there and stare at the beautiful ceilings, mosaics and our surrounds.  Apparently during the war they had a special contingent on guard during bomb raids to put out small fires that were set from bombs and fires nearby. If these people weren't on watch then the cathedral may have been destroyed.  The dome in the centre is truly majestic and it has a second dome above it to keep it from weather damage.  The paintings are beautiful.