530 Narrow Steps to the Pinnacle
This is the Saint Paul’s Cathedral - a famous landmark of London, England. This is an Anglican Cathedral built in the 17th century which, at the present, is considered one of London’s most visited sites.
The church is open to the public with a charge of 15 pounds entrance fee to non-worshipping visitors. The interesting part of visiting the place is its famous 530 narrow steps to the “Golden Gallery” area which is the topmost portion that you can see in the above picture. At the pinnacle you will be able to go around the circular open space where there is an excellent view of the City of London.
I visited the Cathedral in February this year and the experience was very superb. The climb was very tiring but once you reach the peak you will experience the feeling of relief and sense of achievement. Halfway through you can rest at the “Whispering Gallery” which is around 260 steps from the ground. It is the huge dome that you can see in the middle of the building. At the “Whispering Gallery”, you will be amused because your whisper against the wall can be heard by a listener whose ear is held to the wall at the other side or at any other point around the gallery. Remember only a whisper is audible. A shout or a normal voice cannot be heard! It’s amazing!
My friend who accompanied me to visit the Cathedral felt so tired enough to continue to climb up to the “Golden Gallery” and decided to just stay and wait for me a the “Whispering Gallery”. There are separate stairs on the way up and on the way down as the steps are so narrow that only one person at any point in time can fit.
There are very nice architectural works inside the Cathedral and also at the basement. However, picture taking is prohibited inside, thus, I’m only showing you the photos I have taken from outside the Cathedral and at the “Golden Gallery”.
The facade of the Cathedral
View from the “Golden Gallery” overlooking the Thames River, London Eye and the Millenium Bridge.
Another view from the top but from the opposite side.
Side view of the Cathedral:
Put a visit to the Cathedral in your list of the places to see if you happen to visit London!
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I guess St Paul’s the heart of our church, the way Roman Catholics consider St Peter’s Basilica. What do you think?
Maybe you can post a picture of the Old St Paul’s. It’s a gothic style cathedral that was on the same site. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Maybe because it was built by ROman Catholics? It was the third longest church in England.
I thought the heart of your church is the Canterbury Cathedral because it’s the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the counterpart of our Pope in the Roman Catholic Church?
It’s nothing compared to the church of the Parish of St. John of Sahagun!
Very nice Sahagun Church Deuts! It looks bigger than the Manila Cathedral. The government should exert an effort to preserve and restore it as one of the great structures in the Philippines.
Our church in Pinamopoan Leyte is also called St John Parish but it’s smaller than this one and the building is more modern.
Mister Wilson I’m going to London when I win Lotto. hehe
Can I pretend to be an Anglican worshipper so that I don’t have to pay 15 pounds entrance fee?
That’s a lot of savings already.