300 years of history, endurance and beauty

Historic St Pauls Cathedral

The original St. Paul's Cathedral was built in 604 AD by the Bishop of London, Mellitus, but it was destroyed by fire in 1087. The new cathedral was commissioned by William the Conqueror and work began on the building in the late 11th century. It took over 200 years to complete, with the first stage of construction finishing in 1240. The cathedral's design was influenced by the French Gothic style and it became one of the largest and most impressive churches in Europe.

Over the centuries, St. Paul's Cathedral played a crucial role in many important events in British history. It was the site of numerous royal weddings and funerals, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. The cathedral also played a significant role during the Second World War. Its dome served as a beacon for Londoners during the Blitz and it survived several direct hits from German bombs.

However, by the 17th century, the old St. Paul's Cathedral was in a state of disrepair and needed extensive renovation. In 1666, disaster struck when a devastating fire swept through London and destroyed the cathedral once again. In the aftermath of the fire, Sir Christopher Wren, one of Britain's most famous architects, was commissioned to design a new cathedral.