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Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey in the heart of London is closely associated with the English royal family. Here, the British monarchs are crowned and buried. Other famous Britons also found their final resting place in the abbey and so visitors come across the tombs of Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton or David Livigstone, among others. The church is the scene of royal weddings, most recently Prince William and his Kate gave their wedding vows here.
Church of the British Monarchs
The Westminster Abbey does not belong to any diocese but functions as an own church of the British monarchs. Thus, the Dean of the Abbey is directly appointed by the British King.
The first monarch that was crowned here was William the Conqueror in the year 1066. since then, 39 coronations took place in the impressive church. Parts of the Gothic building are thought to have been built as a Benedictine abbey as early as the 7th century. The building, as it presents itself today, was built in the 13th century, the works partly lasted until the 16th century, there were again and again alterations and extensions. The two huge main towers, which dominate the building, were added between 1722 and 1745. The towers were designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, a pupil of Wren.
Highest nave in England
The church is dedicated to the apostle Peter and this is the official name of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster. With a height of 34 metres, the nave is the highest of England. Not only the tomb chapels of the different monarchs are worth seeing. A special attraction is the coronation chair of Edward I, in the St. Edward's Chapel. Until 1996, beneath the chair was the Stone of Scone, a sandstone from the Scottish coast that serves as a symbol of power for the Scottish princes. In 1296, the Scots submitted to the English and so the stone made its way to London. In 1996 it was returned to Edinburgh. In addition to gravesites, there are plaques for numerous famous people such as Sir Winston Churchill.
With four million visitors a year, the Abbey is one of London's most popular attractions and an incessant stream of visitors push their way reverently through the nave, apse and surrounding chapels day after day. The south transept of the abbey is particularly popular. The Poet's Corner commemorates many famous British literary figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer.
