Saint Paul’s is the cathedral of the City of London Saint Paul’s is the cathedral of the City of London. Up to three million people visit Saint Paul’s each year, and its dome has become a symbol of London throughout the world. Old Saint Paul’s was founded in Anglo-Saxon times. Later, it fell into neglect. People took sheep to market through the nave.

Old Saint Paul’s was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 Old Saint Paul’s was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. The fire was so hot, it melted the cathedral bells. After the fire, Sir Christopher Wren designed a new Saint Paul’s. There is some Latin writing about Wren on the floor under the dome. It says: “If you seek his monument, look around you”. During World War Two, a lot of bombs hit the buildings around Saint Paul’s, but the cathedral survived.

The two bells in the clock tower are called Great Paul and Great Tom The two bells in the clock tower are called Great Paul and Great Tom. Great Paul is the biggest bell in England. It rings every day at 1pm to let people know it is lunchtime. Great Tom rings when a king or queen dies. The bells in the tower are rung on Sunday and special occasions.

The dome of Saint Paul’s is 111m (364 ft) high The dome of Saint Paul’s is 111m (364 ft) high. It is actually made of two domes, one inside the other. The inner dome is decorated with pictures of Saint Paul. The Whispering Gallery runs around the inner dome, 259 steps above the ground. It gets its name because even a whisper can be heard all around it.

The American Memorial Chapel is dedicated to Americans who died in the Second World War. Their names are in a list in a glass case. Carvings of American animals decorate the chapel. The main hall is called the nave. On one side of the nave, there is a huge monument to the Duke of Wellington. On the top, there is a statue of the Duke on his horse, Copenhagen.

The ceiling of the choir is covered with pictures called mosaics, made up of thousands of tiny bits of glass. The mosaics show angels, animals and birds. The choir has wooden stalls carved by a craftsman called Grinling Gibbons. A modern craftsman works full-time restoring the carvings. You can spot new carvings because the wood is lighter.