St Pauls Cathedral Other

A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. As the Cathedral of the capital city, St Paul's is the spiritual focus for the Nation. This is where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated since the first Service took place in 1697.

There has been a choir of boys and gentlemen at St Paul's Cathedral for over nine centuries. The earliest records date from 1127, when the then Bishop of London, Richard de Belmeis founded what was the first choir school and made provision for 'almonry' boys to serve the Cathedral.

St Paul's is built in the shape of a cross, with the dome crowning the intersection of the arms. It is one of the largest Cathedral domes in the world, 111.3 metres high. It weighs approximately 65,000 tonnes and is supported by eight pillars. Between the arches of the inner dome are mosaics of prophets and saints, which were installed between 1864 and 1888. The murals in the dome were created between 1715 and 1719 by court painter Sir James Thornhill and feature scenes from the life of St Paul.

The Nave is the long central section of the Cathedral that leads to the Dome. It is a public and ceremonial space, designed for congregations at large services.

The Great West Door is nine metres high. It is now used only on ceremonial occasions. There are three chapels at this end of the Cathedral - All Souls' and St Dunstan's in the north aisle and the Chapel of the Order of St Michael and St George in the south aisle.

Admiral Nelson lies at the centre of the Crypt, directly beneath the middle of the Dome. His monument includes a call to national prayer that he wrote while in view of the enemy before the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

ACCESS TO THE CATHEDRAL for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility issues is via the entrance on the South Side (see the Cathedral plan) A lift gives access to the Cathedral floor and the Crypt. Please ask the steward at the places marked on the floor plans for assistance with the lift.