St Pauls
The Great West Door
Is the main entrance
on state occasions into the Cathedral and provides the central dramatic
frontispiece of St Paul's. The North Aisle
Located to the left
of the Great West door entrance. Areas of interest include a case containing the
roll of honour of 33,000 members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives
serving in the Second World War and the monument to the Duke of Wellington by
Alfred Stevens who worked on it for 20 years and was still incomplete on his
death in 1875. Wellington is buried in the Crypt. The North Transept
Is where the font is
located that dates from 1727. It is made from Italian marble. The Dome
The area under the
Dome is decorated in a compass design. When the Dome was being built Wren was
hauled up in a basket two or three times a week to see how work was
progressing. His son fixed the last stone in position. The Dome is among the
largest in the world. It's main structure is of Portland stone from Dorset. The
Whispering Gallery
Is located above the
arches in the dome. It is called the Whispering Gallery because a whisper
against the blank circular wall can be heard on the opposite side, some 42
metres away. St Paul's spectacular fresco paintings are best seen from this
gallery. The South Transept
Contains tributes to
national figures including the explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912)
who died on the return journey from the South Pole. There is also an elaborate
memorial to Admiral Horatio Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). The chief glory in the
South Transept is the door case, originally part of the Choir Screen and organ
gallery. In one corner of the South Transept stands the first statue to be
erected in St Paul's to the philanthropist and campaigner for prison reform,
John Howard (1726-90). The Quire
Forms the top of the
Cathedral's cross shape and is the most richly decorated part of the interior.
This is where Wren's workmen started building. Minor Canons' Aisle.
The Organ
Wren called the
original organ a 'box of whistles'. The organ has been divided and enlarged and
improved to become the third largest organ in the country. Although
modifications have been made the quality of the sound and the beauty of the
decoration are one of the glories of the cathedral. Such famous composers as
Handel and Mendelssohn both enjoyed playing at. The powerful trumpets, situated
on the West Gallery, are also played from the organ console. The High Altar
The design echoes
the pencil sketch of a baldacchino Wren envisaged as the focal point of his
grand building. The altar is made of a slab of Italian marble, weighing nearly
four tons whilst the cross stands nearly 3 metres high and the candlesticks on
either side, made of gilded and lacquered bronze coins, stand 1.6 metres high.
The American Memorial Chapel
Is located behind
the High Altar and was created as a British tribute to the 28,000 Americans
based in Britain who lost their lives in the Second World War. The Chapel was
dedicated in 1958 in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and Richard Nixon,
Vice-President of the United States. Dean's Aisle
The effigy of John
Donne was the only figure to survive the Great Fire of 1666 intact. As the old
Cathedral burned, the statue fell into the Crypt. Scorch marks can still be
seen around its base. The Dean's Aisle also contains fragments from the Holy
Land including a carved piece of marble from Herod's Temple. The South Aisle
The Light of the
World by Holman Hunt is the most celebrated and famous painting in the
Cathedral. It shows Christ knocking at a humble door which, significantly, can
only be opened from within. The artist is buried in the Crypt.
The Crypt
Is the largest and
most impressive in Europe. Although burials no longer take place here, some 200
memorials can be seen. Much in the Crypt speaks of heroism and bravery, but
overwhelmingly the tragedy of war is illustrated by the monuments contained
within. O.B.E. Chapel
The Chapel of the
Order of the British Empire honours those who have given distinguished service
to their country at home or abroad. Also known as St Faith's Chapel.
Christopher Wren's Tomb
One of the simplest
in the Cathedral. Wren himself wanted no memorial. Nelson's Tomb
Nelson died at the
battle of Trafalgar in 1805. His body was preserved in a keg of naval brandy
and placed within four coffins before burial in the crypt. Wellington's Tomb
Wellington's tomb is
made of Cornish porphyritic granite supported with a block of Peterhead
granite. The Treasury
Many of the
Cathedral's treasures are kept here. Over the centuries much has been seized by
the state or stolen in a major robbery in 1810. There are over 200 items of
liturgical plate lent by churches in the London Diocese as well as the Jubilee
Cope worn during the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 1977.
The shop
St Paul's
Cathedral shop is situated in the crypt. It has a wide range of merchandise
including religious and theological books, children's books, CDs and tapes of
the choir, greetings cards, postcards and gifts such as stationery, china and
glass, T-shirts and sweat shirts, all inspired by Sir Christopher Wren's great
architectural masterpiece.
The shop can be
accessed (free of charge) through the North West Crypt Door, on the left hand
side of the Cathedral as you face it. Opening times are Monday to Saturday 9.00
to 17.00 and Sunday 10.30 to 17.00.