St Paul's Cathedral, interior

St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The present building dates from the 17th century and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is generally reckoned to be London's fifth St Paul's Cathedral, all having been built on the same site since AD 604. The cathedral is one of London's most famous and most recognisable sights. At 365 feet (111m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962, and its dome is also among the highest in the world.

Important services held at St. Paul's include the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the launch of the Festival of Britain and the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. The Royal Family holds most of its important marriages, christenings and funerals at Westminster Abbey, but St Paul's was used for the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. The religious service for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was also celebrated there. St Paul's Cathedral is still a busy working church, with hourly prayer and daily services.

Photo 135, 1979

St Paul's Cathedral, interior

Photo 137, 1979

St Paul's Cathedral, interior

Photo 140, 1979

St Paul's Cathedral, interior

Photo 141, 1979

St Paul's Cathedral

Photo 142, 1979

St Paul's Cathedral, interior

Photo 144, 1979

Monument to General Abercrombie in St Paul's.

While studying in Rome between 1793 and 1797 Sir Richard Westmacott was deeply influenced by Canova. His large-scale monuments show a sense of the dramatic which is close to the Italian master. The monument to General Abercrombie in St. Paul`s Cathedral, showing the hero falling off his horse, is remarkable for presenting the moment of death. James Abercrombie (1706-1781) was a British Army general and commander-in-chief of forces in North America during the French and Indian War, who met with disaster in the Battle of Carillon (1758).

Photo 526, May 2011