The Cathedral and the Abbey

By Austin Christ

Two destinations at the top of my list going into the trip were St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. I have always had a deep appreciation of historical architecture, and these two buildings are prime examples of such, in addition to their extensive cultural significance. The following is a recount of my experience visiting these two spectacles, as well as the emotions that came along with it.

The first thing that shocked me about Westminster Abbey was the hefty entry fee. I had just visited some of the greatest museums in the world free of charge, and now had to pay twenty pounds to see a church. The fee was well worth it, however, as the experience was both educational and aweinspiring. When I first stepped in, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of incredible architecture: Embezzled statues of former kings, intricate stonecarved ceilings, and antiquated paintings filled the room. The staff gave me an informational voiceover device and a pair of headphones, and the journey began. Walking through Westminster Abbey was like stepping into a crowded Gothic painting, with magnificent pieces of art accompanied by the graves and memorials of some of the most important people in human history. The abbey was packed with people, but I didn’t mind it because the quiet history lesson playing through my headphones allowed me to appreciate the art peacefully, as I explored the timeline of British royalty and extravagance.

Part of me expected St. Paul’s Cathedral to be a similar experience. After all, my reasons for wanting to visit them were mostly the same, yet

I turned out to be quite wrong. Although it also boasted exquisite architecture and a pricey entrance fee, the experience was altogether very different. The cathedral was enormous and uncrowded, complete with walls and ceilings of remarkable artistry. The true highlight of St. Paul’s, however, is what lies above and below the main floor. A small group of us decided to make the trek to the very top of the cathedral, a hike that took over 500 steps and burned a thousand calories. The view at the very top was my favorite of the entire week: a panoramic vista of the entire city. The scene of the London skyline was straight out of a postcard, making the climb well worth it. Below the cathedral lies the crypt, a calm chamber of historically significant memorials and graves, such as Florence Nightingale and Joseph Turner. The strangest part of the crypt was being funneled through a gift shop and cafe on the way out, which felt somewhat disrespectful to me. Regardless, exploring the remarkable landmarks of St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey was an experience I will never forget, and cannot recommend enough to those who haven’t done so.