St Pauls

The Great West DoorIs the main entrance on state occasions into the Cathedral and providesthe central dramatic frontispiece of St Paul s. The North AisleLocated to the left of the Great West door entrance. Areas of interestinclude a case containing the roll of honour of 33,000 members of the MerchantNavy who lost their lives serving in the

Second World War and the monument tothe Duke of Wellington by Alfred Stevens who worked on it for 20 years and wasstill incomplete on his death in 1875. Wellington is buried in the Crypt. TheNorth TranseptIs where the font is located that dates from 1727. It is made fromItalian marble. The DomeThe area under the Dome is decorated in a compass design. When the Domewas being built

Wren was hauled up in a basket two or three times a week to seehow work was progressing. His son fixed the last stone in position. The Dome isamong the largest in the world. It s main structure is of Portland stone fromDorset. The Whispering GalleryIs located above the arches in the dome. It is called the WhisperingGallery because a whisper against the blank circular wall can be heard on

theopposite side, some 42 metres away. St Paul s spectacular fresco paintings arebest seen from this gallery. The South TranseptContains tributes to national figures including the explorer CaptainRobert Falcon Scott 1868-1912 who died on the return journey from the SouthPole. There is also an elaborate memorial to Admiral Horatio Viscount Nelson 1758-1805 . The chief glory in the

South Transept is the door case, originallypart of the Choir Screen and organ gallery. In one corner of the South Transeptstands the first statue to be erected in St Paul s to the philanthropist andcampaigner for prison reform, John Howard 1726-90 . The QuireForms the top of the

Cathedral s cross shape and is the most richlydecorated part of the interior. This is where Wren s workmen started building.Minor Canons Aisle.The OrganWren called the original organ a box of whistles . The organ has beendivided and enlarged and improved to become the third largest organ in thecountry. Although modifications have been made the quality of the sound and thebeauty of the decoration are

one of the glories of the cathedral. Such famouscomposers as Handel and Mendelssohn both enjoyed playing at. The powerfultrumpets, situated on the West Gallery, are also played from the organ console.The High AltarThe design echoes the pencil sketch of a baldacchino Wren envisaged asthe focal point of his grand building.

The altar is made of a slab of Italianmarble, weighing nearly four tons whilst the cross stands nearly 3 metres highand the candlesticks on either side, made of gilded and lacquered bronze coins,stand 1.6 metres high. The American Memorial ChapelIs located behind the High Altar and was created as a British tribute tothe 28,000 Americans based in Britain who lost their lives in the

Second WorldWar. The Chapel was dedicated in 1958 in the presence of Her Majesty the Queenand Richard Nixon, Vice-President of the United States. Dean s AisleThe effigy of John Donne was the only figure to survive the Great Fireof 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 containsfragments from the Holy Land including a carved piece of marble from Herod sTemple. The South AisleThe Light of the World by Holman Hunt is the most celebrated and famouspainting in the Cathedral. It shows Christ knocking at a humble door which,significantly, can only be opened from within. The artist is buried in theCrypt. The Crypt Is the largest and most impressive in

Europe. Although burials no longertake place here, some 200 memorials can be seen. Much in the Crypt speaks ofheroism and bravery, but overwhelmingly the tragedy of war is illustrated bythe monuments contained within. O.B.E. Chapel The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire honours those who havegiven distinguished service to their country at home or abroad. Also known asSt 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 preservedin a keg of naval brandy and placed within four coffins before burial in thecrypt. Wellington s Tomb Wellington s tomb is made of Cornish porphyritic granite supported witha block of

Peterhead granite. The Treasury Many of the Cathedral s treasures are kept here. Over the centuries muchhas been seized by the state or stolen in a major robbery in 1810. There areover 200 items of liturgical plate lent by churches in the London Diocese aswell as the Jubilee Cope worn during the Queen s Jubilee celebrations in 1977. The shop St Paul s

Cathedral shop issituated in the crypt. It has a wide range of merchandise including religiousand theological books, children s books, CDs and tapes of the choir, greetingscards, postcards and gifts such as stationery, china and glass, T-shirts andsweat shirts, all inspired by Sir Christopher Wren s great architecturalmasterpiece. The shop can be accessed free of charge through the

North West CryptDoor, on the left hand side of the Cathedral as you face it. Opening times areMonday to Saturday 9.00 to 17.00 and Sunday 10.30 to 17.00. The Cafe The Crypt Cafe is open every day serving hot and cold drinks, aselection of delicious sandwiches, pastries, cakes and scones. The Cafe islicensed and serves morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon

teas in theunique environment of the Cathedral Crypt. Group bookings and parties welcomed- please telephone the Catering Manager on 0171 246 8358