Admire the ancient architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral on the England tour

Established in 604 AD and later reconstructed in the late 17th century over a span of 45 years, St. Paul's Cathedral is now known as the second largest cathedral in England. St. Paul's Cathedral ranks only behind Liverpool Cathedral, and it is a deeply spiritual place for the faithful. Exploring the ancient architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral on your England tour is sure to be an intriguing experience for you. Let's delve deeper into this fascinating destination with Vietnam Travel!

The history of the formation of St. Paul's Cathedral in England

St. Paul's Cathedral in London is regarded as a precious gem of British architecture designed by the distinguished architect Sir Christopher Wren (1632 – 1723) during the 17th century. Situated on Ludgate Hill – the highest point in the city of London.

St. Paul's Cathedral stands at a towering height of 111m and has long been viewed as an enduring architectural icon of the world for its impeccable representation of the illustrious and majestic Baroque architecture. Notably, the intricately handcrafted and exquisitely designed dome of the cathedral, adorned with meticulously carved details, embodies a harmonious fusion of color and light that renders the cathedral a truly magnificent sight unseen anywhere else on England tours. It also boasts the world's tallest recognized dome to date.

St. Paul's Cathedral has always been revered as a sacred place. It has been the venue for numerous significant events in England, including the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Winston Churchill. While royal families typically hold weddings and funerals at Westminster Abbey, both Prince William and Princess Diana chose to have their royal wedding ceremonies at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Marvel at the design of St. Paul's Cathedral in England

In the latter half of the 17th century, a new architectural design trend emerged in England, aiming to express the ideals of the ascending bourgeoisie. At this time, various design philosophies coexisted in England, including French, Italian, Dutch, and Gothic styles, but French influence predominated.

Among the renowned architects of the time, Wren was the most influential and versatile. Wren emulated and pursued the French classical style. He was officially entrusted with the task of designing St. Paul's Cathedral – the greatest masterpiece in Wren's career and also the most magnificent Baroque architectural work that travelers on England tours can admire.

In its early stages, St. Paul's Cathedral took shape through a model and a drawing that resembled the Pantheon in Rome, with plans to be connected to a small building behind to accommodate the choir stalls. However, this design was met with criticism for its lack of aesthetic appeal. The second design of St. Paul's Cathedral was based on the shape of a Latin cross. According to archival documents, the new cathedral began construction in 1675 and was completed in 1711, becoming the principal cathedral of the Church of England, a popular destination for England tourism.

Although there were some deviations from the original design, St. Paul's Cathedral still adheres to the shape of a 140m long and 30m wide Latin cross. Above, there is a small dome supported by 32 paired Corinthian columns. The dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in England is an elegant triple-layered oval dome. The entire structure is structurally sound and follows the principle of load transmission.

Today, St. Paul's Cathedral has become a highly renowned tourist attraction in England tours. It carries within it the historical imprints and vicissitudes of countless eras and devastating wars. If you have the opportunity to visit England, be sure to explore St. Paul's Cathedral at least once!

Posted by: Tham Huynh

Explore the ancient architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral on the England tour - KEYWORD