How to visit St Paul's Cathedral in London and climb its dome

One of the recommended visits for your tourist trip to London is San Pablo's cathedral,

Together with Westminster AbbeyThis anglican cathedral It is one of the largest religious temples in the British capital.

La St Paul's Cathedral London You find it in the heart of the neighborhood City London, in front of the Millennium Bridge that crosses the Thames River from the Tate Modern museum.

Curiosities history St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Located on a hill called Ludgate Hill. this enclave already before the Christendom has been the establishment of religious centers, from an ancient megalith that is known, to a temple dedicated to the goddess Diana.

In the year 604, the first wooden church dedicated to San Pablo.

But both this church and two later ones built successively by Vikings and Normans were consumed by flames.

Later, in the year 1314, a new temple was completed, which in this case was already a cathedral that, with its 181 meters in length, was the third longest church in Europe.

In addition, it also had one of the tallest towers, 149 meters high.

But in the 16th century, after the reform of the Church of England which implied that the Queen of England became the visible head of the church, and in practice it represented a schism with Pope, St Paul's Cathedral London It was forgotten and began a process of deterioration.

Even so, a century later a renovation of the building was carried out adding a neoclassical style facade.

However, the building once again fell into flames, as in 1666 it was destroyed by the Great Fire of London.

It was then that it was decided to build a completely new cathedral, which was commissioned to the architect Christopher Wren.

He proposed a project that was met with resistance from the dean of the cathedral, so finally the design of the current St. Paul's Cathedral is the result of a compromise between the most daring project of Wren and the most conservative position of the dean.

The current St Paul's Cathedral London Construction began in 1675 and was completed in 1710.

With an architectural style between late renaissance and baroque, the most prominent element of the building is the imposing dome inspired by the dome of the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome.

From then until now, the San Pablo's cathedral has been the headquarters of great celebrations in London history.

Thus, in San Pablo the funerals took place Nelson or el Duke of Wellington y Churchill.

Also celebrations, such as the anniversaries of the queen Victoria or the Queen Isabel, and even the wedding of Prince carlos with the Princess Diana.

What to see when visiting St. Paul's Cathedral in London

In your visit of St. Paul's Cathedral you will see a main façade of Classic, with columns on two floors.

You can also see that it has the largest crypt in Europe, since it extends under the floor of the entire building as it is part of its structure.

This façade has two side towers, and the interior of the building has a central nave with side hallways, and in the background, a choir.

The highlight is the circular transept arranged under the imposing 111 meter high dome, so that for 150 years and until 1962, this cathedral was the tallest building in London.

Dimensions of the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral

One of the great attractions of your visit to St. Paul's Cathedral  de London is the possibility of climb to the top of the dome to see some excellent panoramic views of London.

La dome of St Paul's Cathedral, London It is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world.

Supported by eight large pillars, the dome has 31 meters in diameter and a height of 110 meters from the ground to the top of the lantern.

Already in the Exterior views of St. Paul's Cathedral You can see the enormous size of the dome and its preeminence in the building.

When you visit the interior of the cathedral, you cannot help but sit on one of the benches in the transept to appreciate the architectural majesty of its dome.

How to climb the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral

But you still have the possibility of contemplating the interior decoration of the dome from much closer, climbing to the so-called Whisper Gallery.

Indeed, if you set yourself the challenge of climb to the top of the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral to contemplate the excellent panoramic views of London From the viewpoint that borders the upper lantern, your first stage of this ascent will be to reach the aforementioned gallery.

Gallery of Whispers in St Paul's Cathedral, London

After uploading 250 steps, wide enough and comfortable enough not to be strenuous, you reach the Whisper Gallery.

It is a dais that borders the 31 meter diameter dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.

The width of the dais, compared to what happens in other domes, such as that of the Duomo of Florence, allows you to sit and appreciate the interior decoration of the dome, including its frescoes.

Likewise, you can look out over the railing that surrounds the gallery so that you can see the central nave and the main altar of the cathedral.

La Whisper Gallery of St. Paul's Cathedral in London owes its name to the characteristic of this type of dome that allows a conversation in a low voice against the wall of the dome to be perfectly heard on the opposite side of it.

Viewpoint of the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, London

Next you will have to approach another flight of stairs, now smaller in width and not so comfortable to climb, until you reach the first exterior viewpoint, which is known as the Stone Gallery.

It is a very wide viewpoint from which you can enjoy the first Panoramic views of the city, going almost completely around the great dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Finally, if you have the mood, you can do the last leg of ascent.

Lantern Gallery in St Paul's Cathedral, London

This time the staircase is really narrow and has high steps, so it is not recommended for everyone (from the Stone Gallery, if you prefer, you can now start the descent).

When you reach the highest point of the dome, the so-called Lantern Gallery, the views are truly spectacular.

It is a very narrow viewpoint with a small diameter, you will have already reached it after climbing a total of 530 steps.

This rise to dome of St. Paul's Cathedral It can take you half an hour, and if the weather is not favorable, you have to keep in mind that at the external viewpoints you can find a very strong wind that makes the visit quite unpleasant.

But from experience I can assure you that it is still worth going up…

Visiting times for St. Paul's Cathedral in London

The Visiting hours of St Paul's Cathedral London They are, under normal conditions, from Monday to Saturday, from 8,30:16 a.m. to 16 p.m., with last entry time at 10 p.m.; On Wednesdays the cathedral opens at XNUMX a.m.

For go up to the Whisper Gallery and to the exterior viewpoint of the dome, the schedule goes from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m., when visitor access ends.

You have to take into account that On Sundays, St. Paul's Cathedral is closed to visitors. because it is dedicated to worship.

Ticket prices for St. Paul's Cathedral in London

As with the other great cathedral of London, the Westminster Abbey, the visit inside the San Pablo's cathedral It is not free. In addition, taking photos or filming videos is not allowed.

El price of tickets to visit St. Paul's Cathedral It's £18 if you buy it in advance at Internet, with reduced prices for seniors+60 and students (£16) and children from 6 to 17 years old (£7,70).

You will do the visit with a multimedia guide in Spanish with photos and videos already included in the price.

Guided tours in St Paul's Cathedral, London

The ticket also gives you access to participate in guided tours of St. Paul's Cathedral carried out by volunteers known as The Friends of Saint Paul.

There are various modalities of guided tours (in English), but the standard, which is free, lasts 90 minutes.

To join one of these guided tours, you must make a advance reservation at the entrance counter.

During the guided tours you tour the main nave, the Crypt, and you also access areas that you cannot visit on your own, such as the Geometric Stair, St Michel chapel y St george and Chorus.