St.Paul's Cathedral Curiosities.

From outside, this Cathedral is massive in its classical structure.
Its Dome is second in height only to the St Peter's Cathedral in Rome.
It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, after the Great Fire of London consumed it.

Sir Wren. The modest designer. 

Many important english people have their Memorials, sculptures and tombs here.

But you were's his designer's one?
If you go under the Dome, you'll find only a plaque on the floor to remember him.
Sir Wren was only apparently modest, since the plaque states in latin:
"Si monumentum requiris, circumspice" (If you seek a monument look around you.)

Events, events, events!

Funerals: 

• Lord Nelson
• The Duke of Wellington 
• Sir Winston Churchill

Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer
The Queen celebrated the Golden Jubilee and her 80th birthday.
It seems that also the Queen's tomb will be hosted here...

Surviving the Bombs.

During the second world war blitz, this place survived intact after each bombing.
For this reason, it become then a symbol of how Londoners could "take it". 
Keep Calm and Carry On.

Shhh... don't tell anyone: The Wispering Gallery

Climb up 259 steps into the lower part of the dome and if you whisper on one side of the gallery, someone can hear it on the other side.

Say Thank you to the rain, Sir Wellington.

Wellington's Memorial

The Duke of Wellington has a memorial and a tumb here. He was the guy who defeated Napoleon in Waterloo.
48.000 soldiers died in only 8 hours.
The Duke's victory was a mix of strategy and luckiness :
Napoleon's cannons were stuck in the mud after 2 days of exceptional rain (Londoners should love their weather for this).

Apsley House

For his victory the Duke was given a beautiful house, Apsley House, that you can visit in Hyde Park Corner.
In front of the house you can see the Wellington Arch that celebrates the battle.
He liked to have Napoleon's memorabilia as a hunter with his booty. In the house you can find Napoleon's portraits and a huge statue representing him.

Napoleon's Statue!

This statue was created by Antonio Canova for the french Emperor, but when Napoleon saw it, he was a bit disappointed.
The satue was massive respect his modest stature, and it was completely naked, with only a fig leaf where you'd expect it.
He ordered to hide it somewere and after a few years it popped up in Wellington's house.

How to get there:

Central Line, St.Pauls Station

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