Top 5 Churches in London
London has a vibrant cultural past and that is reflected in the beauty and diversity of the Church architecture here.
First-time visitors, however, tend to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of things there are to see in this British mega-city.
Thus, they end up missing out on some of the best sights.
If you too are headed to London and plan on sightseeing, or are generally curious about the most magnificent Churches its home to, here's a list of the 'must-see' wonders that will surely have you gasping in awe.
Westminster Abbey One of the most famed landmarks of London, Westminster Abbey is a treat to the eye.
An imposing building embellished with gothic architecture, its construction began in 1245 and additions to the design have been made ever-since.
This Church is not only important as a religious institute but also as a preserver of English art and culture; it contains some of the most precious paintings, artifacts and stained-glasses that Great Britain has to its name.
Moreover, some of the most important figures of Britain including writers, poets, musicians, scientists and artists have been buried here, which adds to its grandeur and charm.
St.
Bride's Church Nicknamed as 'The Church of the Press', due to its location on Fleet Street, St.
Bride's Church is an architectural marvel and popular tourist attraction.
It is visible from the other end of the Thames with its unique layered spire being easy to spot.
In fact, the layered spire is believed to have been the inspiration for the tiered wedding cake which is now an intrinsic part of Christian wedding ceremonies.
Also, St.
Bride's has survived many unfortunate events, including German bombings during the World War, which makes it an even more remarkable structure.
St.
Paul's Cathedral This impressive structure dominates the London skyline and is cited as one of the most beautiful Churches in the whole of UK.
Dedicated to the Apostle Paul, the original church was built in 604AD.
It has been rebuilt five times since, the last time being after the Great Fire of London in the 17th century.
The celebrated architect Christopher Wren designed the church and created the most beautiful, large dome the city had ever seen.
Even today, St.
Paul's dome is counted amongst the largest domes of the world.
Southwark Cathedral Located close to the London Bridge, Southwark Cathedral has been a place of worship for over a thousand years, though it became a cathedral only in 1905.
Most of the interiors are recent though the tomb of John Grower and monument to William Shakespeare exemplify the magnificence of old-world architecture.
Holy Trinity If you want to see something distinctive and different, the Holy Trinity in Sloane Street is the church to see.
More than the outside architecture, the interiors redefine splendor.
Pre-Raphaelite art and collections of stained glass by leading artists are the primary attractions here; an absolute delight for art-lovers.
These beautiful churches are the pride and prestige of London city.
If you want a taste of the city's culture and history, these are great places to visit and see.