Westminster Abbey, London region

Westminster Abbey - details and images

Church of St Peter in Westminster, better known as Westminster Abbey, holds a unique place in British history. All British sovereigns since William the Conqueror, (except Edward V and Edward VIII) were crowned here. Westminster Abbey is also the resting place of monarchs in the second half of the thirteenth century to the middle of the eighteenth century.

Westminster Abbey was built by order of King Edward the Confessor in the eleventh century, in the thirteenth century Henry III started the reconstruction of French Gothic church, in honor of Edward. Over the centuries, have been made all sorts of changes and additions to the church building. One of the most important was the Lady Chapel built by Henry VII, which now bears his name. In the first part of the eighteenth century, Nicholas Hawksmoor designed the Gothic towers of the west. Above the door in the west were added statues are martyrs of the twentieth century. Westminster Abbey memorial abounds, vade plates, statues and other objects designed to commemorate famous people and respected, although not all are buried here.

The nave has some massive buttresses the fourteenth century represented a new technology and raising the roof allowed the stone to over 30 feet tall, the tallest nave in England. Zone is flooded with light thanks to window glass in the west of the church. It was designed and built by James Thornhill in 1735. Under window tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates the thousands of soldiers dead in World War I and could not be ingrapati. Nearby, on the floor there is a plaque dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill, who is buried at Bladon near Blenheim Palace.

Choir is where 22 boys and 12 Assistant sing during the service daily. Anthem "Zadok the Priest" was written by Handel for the coronation of George II and still is today included in the coronation ceremonies.

The sanctuary is where coronations occur. Behind the high altar there is a mosaic depicting the Last Supper and dates from 1867. On the altar there is a pair of candles bought with church money left by Sarah Hughes, a cleaning lady in the seventeenth century.

Edward the Confessor's shrine is located in the eastern chapel of the sanctuary, the most revered part of the church. The Divan of stone dating from the fifteenth century are carved scenes from the life that saint was canonized in Secula XII.

Incoranarii throne of Edward I, dating from the 1300s can be seen in this part of Westminster Abbey. Used to absolutely all the coronation ceremonies that took place here in 1308, the throne was made to incorporate the Scottish coronation stone that Edward had brought her to England in 1296. This stone has remained in Westminster Abbey for seven hundred years until it was brought back to Edinburgh Castle in 1996.

Chapel of Henry VII was completed in 1519. Chapel entrance is through two doors of bronze. The main nave is a remarkable piece of architecture. Ceiling very busy and tired of the saints that are placed high above the balcony where the choir stands, the whole atmosphere full of history. The chapel is decorated with images of the Knights of Bath, who is dedicated to the chapel. Also at Westminster Abbey and the tomb is found Queen Elizabeth I. In addition to her sister, half-Catholic, Queen Mary, and she is ingroapta here.

Another important place in Poets Corner Westminster Abbey is. The first person buried here was Geoffrey Chaucer in 1400. There are memorials dedicated to John Dryden, Edmund Spencer, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Robert Browning and Charles Dickens, to name a few. Many illustrious men are commemorated here are buried in other places though. These include: William Shakespeare, John Milton, Wordsworth, Keats and Shelly, Bronte sisters and Jane Austin. Not all poets and writers are commemorated here. There are several other priests or deacons of the church, the composer Handel and actor David Garrick. The last of those buried here is Sir Laurence Olivier.

Opening hours at Westminster Abbey:
Monday - Friday: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (except Wednesday when the program is 9.30 - 6.00pm).
Saturday: 9.30am - 1.30pm.
Saturday from June to September: 9.30 am - 3.30 pm.

Price entry to Westminster Abbey:
Adults £ 12.00, children under 11 years: free, children between 11-16 years old, students: £ 9.00;
Family ticket 2 adults and 2 children or one adult with three children: £ 28.00

Westminster Abbey is very easy to find being located right in the heart of London vis-a-vis the Parliament in London.

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