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For the past several years, a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral has been the first official field trip of the program. A major landmark, students can wander the principle floorplan as well as the crypt. Program participants can climb the many steps to the interior viewing gallery, allowing for close examination of St. Paul's domed ceiling. The interior viewing gallery is also known as the whispering gallery, as its incredible acoutistics permit quiet voices to converse across the gallery's diameter. Students can also make an additional climb to the exterior viewing gallery. Extremely high, this external viewing gallery presents a breathtaking panoramic view of the financial district, simply called The City, as well as views of Southbank and the River Thames. |
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Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul's Cathedral was built in the late 17th century. The cathedral followed earlier churches which had been on the site since 604 A.D., commiting the location to a religious orientation. St. Paul's Cathedral is the focal point of the Anglican Communion, originating from the Church of England. It contains both elements of ancient Catholic tradition and 16th century Reformation heritage. St. Paul's Cathedral is also the Cathedral of the Diocese of London. The cathedral has been home to the Bishop of London since at least 314 A.D Aside from its obvious religious importance, St. Paul's Cathedral can be viewed as an architectural focal point of the city of London. As such, its presence appears in the skyline of any urban illustration of the city of London and often emerges in many literary texts. The British author, Blanchard Jerrold writes of this magnificant structure: |
Ludgate Hill--A Block in the Street by French artist, Gustave Doré |
Written in the 18th century, the below copy of London Bells is the traditional London rhyme as it appears in an early handset printed children's book, Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book (1744), Vol. II.
