St. Paul's Cathedral: Sir Christopher Wren
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral has had a very interesting and long history. It involves natural disasters, sabotage, invasions, lies, and deception. It has been through a lot over the many years of its existence, including several reconstructions. While there has been many changes to it, the one thing that could be counted on was the fact that there was always something unexpected happening to it. Even though St. Paul's Cathedral has had some hard times, it has re-bounded with the help of several generations of citizens, and has become the architectural jewel as we know it to be today in the crowded streets of London.
1. There were many unfortunate events that happened to St. Paul's, which resulted in the production of the cathedral that stands today. Describe in detail, the historical events that resulted in the continuous renovations, and how the new building is so special in an architectural sense due to Sir Christopher Wren's unorthodox way of going about business.
The first church was built in honor of St. Paul in 604, only eight years after the first documented Christian mission. This church was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt by Bishop St. Erkenwald in 675. The Vikings destroyed the second church during one of their periodical invasions. After it was rebuilt again, it burned to the ground in 1087. The next attempt at the building took 150 years to complete, the final major touches were finished in 1240 and the building was referred to as Old St. Paul's. In 1313 and 1314, Gothic choirs were added to make the church the 3rd longest in the world at 596 ft. The spire was also completed, that made it the tallest building in Europe, standing tall at 489 ft.
The church was harmed again in 1549 when preachers incited a mob, which ransacked the church. The rioting took a toll on the interior of the church. Shortly after the riots, the spire was struck by lightning; the building decayed and became somewhat condemned and run-down.
St. Paul's Cathedral has had a very interesting and long history. It involves natural disasters, sabotage, invasions, lies, and deception. It has been through a lot over the many years of its existence, including several reconstructions. While there has been many changes to it, the one thing that could be counted on was the fact that there was always something unexpected happening to it. Even though St. Paul's Cathedral has had some hard times, it has re-bounded with the help of several generations of citizens, and has become the architectural jewel as we know it to be today in the crowded streets of London.
1. There were many unfortunate events that happened to St. Paul's, which resulted in the production of the cathedral that stands today. Describe in detail, the historical events that resulted in the continuous renovations, and how the new building is so special in an architectural sense due to Sir Christopher Wren's unorthodox way of going about business.
The first church was built in honor of St. Paul in 604, only eight years after the first documented Christian mission. This church was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt by Bishop St. Erkenwald in 675. The Vikings destroyed the second church during one of their periodical invasions. After it was rebuilt again, it burned to the ground in 1087. The next attempt at the building took 150 years to complete, the final major touches were finished in 1240 and the building was referred to as Old St. Paul's. In 1313 and 1314, Gothic choirs were added to make the church the 3rd longest in the world at 596 ft. The spire was also completed, that made it the tallest building in Europe, standing tall at 489 ft.
The church was harmed again in 1549 when preachers incited a mob, which ransacked the church. The rioting took a toll on the interior of the church. Shortly after the riots, the spire was struck by lightning; the building decayed and became somewhat condemned and run-down.