Westminster Abbey in London – history, photo, description, how to get there, ticket prices 2021, map
The world-famous Westminster Abbey in London, which is an example of the Gothic style, is the largest functioning church in the capital of Great Britain and the country's greatest historical monument. Over the centuries, monarchs were crowned and legally married in the cathedral, who were later buried and mourned within the walls of this architectural masterpiece. If you are planning a trip to the main British city, then be sure to include a visit to the famous landmark in the excursion program.
Construction history
According to English legend, the history of the abbey dates back to the 7th century, when a certain fisherman saw the holy Apostle Peter on the banks of the Thames. A temple was founded on this place, which received the name Westminster. In 960, a community of monks belonging to the Benedictine order appeared here. In 1042, the Pope allowed the old Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor to replace his trip to Rome with the creation of a monastery, and 20 years later the abbey was built. Its original appearance is preserved only on a carpet from Bayeux, embroidered in the 11th century.
The construction of the cathedral, which has survived to this day, began under Henry III in 1245. According to the plan of the Duke of Aquitaine and the King of England, this building should be intended not only for divine liturgies, but also for the coronation and burial ceremonies of monks. After 24 years, the temple, called the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, was solemnly consecrated.
All subsequent rulers expanded the architectural complex. In 1540, Henry VIII, who came to power, issued a decree renaming Westminster Abbey into the main cathedral. The goal of the king was to preserve the unique relics located on the territory of the monastery. However, already in 1579, Elizabeth I made the abbey under the control of British royalty.
Over the centuries-old history of the existence of the cathedral church, 16 weddings of members of the royal family took place within its walls, the last of which – the marriage of Catherine Middleton and Prince William of Wales – took place in the spring of 2011. The temple is also known as one of the centers of education in Great Britain. Many chapters of the Bible have been translated into English here. The impressive architecture and historical significance of Westminster Abbey was the reason for its inscription in 1987 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Plan
The monastery complex is a fine example of medieval Gothic architecture, reflected in high windows, ribbed ceilings and semicircular niches with built-in chapels. The length of the main structure is 156.5 m, the total area is 3 thousand m2. Such grandiose dimensions allow the Collegiate Church to simultaneously accommodate 2,000 parishioners. The building has the shape of a Latin cross, stretched from west to east.
The outer Gothic appearance is complemented by two towers 68 m high. Between them, on both sides of the doors, there are four statues, symbolizing Justice, Truth, Peace and Mercy. Above you can see ten more niches filled with figures of Christian martyrs of the 20th century. The facades of the transepts are decorated with rose windows and lancet arches, giving the whole look of the church elegance and lightness.
The central entrance to the cathedral is the north door leading to the wide wing – the north transept. Chapels are located in the eastern part of the hall; the main attraction of the south transept is Poets' Corner. Multiple reconstructions have led to the fact that the English style is clearly visible in the church, which is evidenced by marble columns and sculptures, elegant stone work and stucco arches.
Nef
The construction of the nave was completed in 1517. Architect Henry Yevel managed to create an unusual design: he used external arches to increase the height of the ceiling by 31 meters, which made the central hall of the Collegiate Church the highest nave in the UK.
Columns serve as a limitation to the bright narrow nave. Above them is an arched opening, in which an exposition of treasures will open in 2018. The pearl of the room is the western window with a stained-glass window depicting the prophets of Christ. Lowering your head, you will see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. To her, the leaders of countries arriving in England on a visit, lay wreaths – a tribute of respect and memory of the soldiers who died during the First World War.
In 1994, the ceiling of the nave was decorated with crystal chandeliers donated by the Guinness family. After 29 years, the collection of treasures of the monastery was replenished with two icons of the Russian artist Sergei Fedorov – the faces of the Savior and the Virgin and Child.
Altar
The altar appeared in the cathedral in 1867; The author of the project was the architect and designer George Gilbert Scott.
The main decoration of the sanctuary is the Last Supper mosaic, created in the Cosmatesque style, an architectural style typical of medieval Rome. During his visit to the capital of Italy, the abbot of the monastery was so delighted with the work of Italian masters that he brought one of them, Antonio Salviati, to decorate the abbey church. Mosaic with an area of 7.58 m2, assembled from 30 thousand pieces of dark limestone, onyx, glass and porphyry, is also laid out on the floor of the altar.
Poets' corner
One of the most visited parts of the temple is the Poets' Corner, located in the south transept. Outstanding literary figures of Britain sleep here forever. The first minister of the Muses buried within these walls was the father of English poetry, Geoffrey Chaucer. The second grave appeared in the cathedral only 200 years later – Edmund Spenser was interred.
Since then, the burial of famous people of culture and the establishment of memorial plaques in their honor has become a tradition. David Garrick, Samuel Johnson, Swift, Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier are buried in the abbey. Since 1989, no new burials have been made in the tomb.
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Chapel of Our Lady or Chapel of Henry VII
The elegant Chapel of Our Lady (or Henry VII), which is separated from the monastery complex by the copper eastern gate, is an example of late Gothic architecture that left its mark on the interior of the building. The peculiarity of the chapel is giant windows with a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines and openwork vaults 20 m high, decorated with fan ribs and pendants resembling gigantic stalactites. The overall picture of solemnity and refinement is complemented by the figures of the apostles and saints hidden under canopies, and the multi-colored military flags of the Order of the Bath.
The chapel was founded by order of Henry VII in 1503, and the king found his last refuge in it. His beloved wife, Elizabeth of York, is also buried here. Both tombs with full-length sculptural gilded portraits of the dead were engraved by the Florentine Torrigiano, who became famous as a rival of Michelangelo. Queens Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor are buried here, as well as commander Oliver Cromwell.
Courtyard and cloisters
When visiting the cathedral, do not forget to visit the abbey courtyard, surrounded by four cloisters – covered galleries built of light stone in the 13th-14th centuries. At that time, the courtyard was the center of the life of the monastery. Here the novices spent most of their time. The library was located in the northern part, the southern cloister was adjacent to the refectory, and the abbot's house was located in the western part. Church books are now kept in the bedchambers of the monks, a museum operates in the former sacristy, its collection includes wax statues of historical figures. There is also a small cloister on the territory, on the site of which an infirmary operated during the Middle Ages.
Chapter building
The mid-11th century door separating the east cloister from the Chapterhouse is the oldest in Britain. The eastern gallery of the cathedral leads to the Gothic hall, which has the shape of an octagon. The role of its sides is played by the lancet windows filled with colorful stained-glass windows, which amaze with the variety of patterns repeated in the tiles of the stone floor. Under the windows, a carved arcade envelops the room, creating harmony of all parts of the interior. The walls are decorated with murals united by the theme of the Apocalypse.
The history of the Chapterhouse dates back to the 12th century. Initially, the room was intended for meetings of the inhabitants of the monastery, at the end of the century the hall became the meeting place of the Great Royal Council, and two centuries later – the House of Commons. Until 1660, the royal treasures were kept in the dungeon.
college garden
Not far from Westminster Abbey is the oldest garden in the UK – College Garden. The first plane trees were planted here in 1849, then the territory was divided into plots where fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs and flowers were grown. The colorful flowerbeds were intended to delight the eyes of the monarchs walking here, who were treated in the nearby infirmary.
Today the garden is private, the houses surrounding it are inhabited by ordinary Londoners. That is why the entrance to the College Garden is limited: it is allowed to visit it every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00 in summer and from 10:00 to 16:00 in winter. Among the local attractions, the most interesting is the sculptural group “Crucifixion” created by Enzo Plazzotta.
Church of Saint Margaret
The Church of the Great Martyr Margaret of Antioch was founded in the 12th century and completely rebuilt in 1486-1523. In 1614 it became the official parish church of Parliament; British Protestants expressed dissatisfaction with the neighboring luxurious abbey and preferred liturgies in the “more suitable” cathedral. This tradition continues to this day.
Between 1734 and 1738 the architect John James restored the northwest tower, at the same time the facade of the building was clad in light Portland limestone. After 139 years, the interior has been completely renovated. A real masterpiece is the east window with a Flemish stained-glass window from 1509, created in memory of the betrothal of Arthur Tudor, the elder brother of Henry VIII, to Catherine of Aragon.
The last refuge in the church was found by the Czech engraver Wenzel Hollar and the British pioneer William Caxton. Many famous British people, including Winston Churchill and Clementine Hozier, have chosen the cathedral as their wedding venue.
Behavior rules
Regardless of which denomination you belong to and for what purpose you came to visit a popular London landmark, remember that Westminster Abbey is primarily a state shrine – an institution that unites true believers. While in the cathedral, observe the rules of religious etiquette:
Opening hours and ticket prices
The abbey can be visited on weekdays from 09:30 to 15:40 (Wednesday until 18:00), on Saturdays from 09:30 to 13:30. On Sundays, the entrance for sightseers is closed (except for those wishing to participate in the liturgy or take communion).
Entrance fees for visitors:
Group rates:
Children under 5 years of age and the disabled, accompanied by guardians, have the right to enter free of charge. On Wednesday, a ticket purchased after 16:30 will cost half the price.
Tip: for those who have purchased a tourist London pass, there is an entrance to the box office without queues and the right to free admission to the abbey and 74 other London attractions.
Where is it located and how to get there
The cathedral is located in the central area of the capital of England – Westminster. You can get here by public transport:
The monastery complex is located on the south side of Parliament Square, west of the Palace of Westminster and a few steps from the Thames. If you decide to visit it in the morning, you will have enough time to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben afterwards.