St. Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral rises above Ludgate Hill in the City of London, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of London. Sir Christopher Wren designed the present Baroque building after the Great Fire of 1666, and it was completed in 1710. Its dome, one of the largest in the world, has dominated the London skyline for centuries and survived the Blitz. Visitors enter the nave, with its black and white marble floor and the high altar, then descend to the crypt, which holds the tombs of Wellington, Nelson and Wren himself, along with a cafe and shop. The main attraction for many is the climb of 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, where a whisper against the wall can be heard on the opposite side 34 metres away. A further 119 steps lead to the Stone Gallery with outdoor views, and another 152 steps reach the Golden Gallery at the top of the dome for panoramic views over London. The Oculus, a gallery with a view down into the cathedral, and the Dean's Staircase are newer additions to the visit. A visit typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a multimedia guide. Photography is not permitted inside the cathedral, though the exterior is best photographed from the Millennium Bridge, from One New Change rooftop terrace, or from Paternoster Square. Crowds peak mid-morning and in summer, while early morning and late afternoon are calmer. The cathedral is a working church with daily services, so some areas may be closed, and on Sundays it is open for worship only.