The REAL Stairs

The Dome

A few months ago, I posted about the stairs at The Monument. Those stairs were nothing compared to the stairs at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It took 570 steps, but the view was beautiful. St Paul’s Cathedral is called the Nation’s Church. The current St. Paul’s Cathedral was built in 1710 by Christopher Wren, although worship has been occuring at the site since 604 AD. Fire destroyed the previous churches in 962, 1087 and 1666.

St. Paul's Cathedral

We started off with a guided tour, which was great because we got to see places you don’t normally see. First we went inside the south bell tower and saw the geometric staircase. For my Harry Potter fans (myself included) this is where the moving staircases scene was filmed for the 3^rd Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Not sure what it was really used for, I got distracted by the Harry Potterness of it.



Harry Potter Staircase from the top

Harry Potter staircase from the bottom



After that we moved on to the Chapel of St.Michael and St. George. This a private chapel for the use of members of the Order of St Michael and St. George, basically British citizens who served as ambassadors or done something overseas. (I think). Some of this stuff is still a little confusing to me. 



Chapel of St. George and St. Michael

Next we continued up the Nave and stood under the dome. . The dome rises 365 feet to represent the days in a year .  The east end of the cathedral was destroyed during WWII.  It was rebuilt as the American Memorial Chapel, which was created to honor American soldiers based in Britain who gave their lives during WWII. The stained glass in the chapel depicts each of the 50 states.





Stained Glass in the American Chapel

Next it was down to the crypt.  People are no longer buried in the Crypt, but Sir Alexander Fleming's ashes were buried there in 1955 .  Christoher Wren, the achitect of St. Paul's Cathedral, along with Lord Nelson and Duke of Wellington are buried in the Crypt. Surprisingly they have a little cafe in the The Crypt, so we ate lunch and prepared to climb the dome.

There are actully three levels of the dome. After 259 steps you enter the interior Whipering Gallery. You get a really good look at the paintings of St. Paul's life inside the dome. Next it is up 119 steps to the exterior Stone Gallery and if want to can go an additional 192 steps to the exterior Golden Gallery.  I was sad when we got to the Golden Gallery because people had written all over the Cathedral.  I couldn't believe people would do that. 

Don't forget your 80's attire when you come visit.