Historic St. Paul's Cathedral in London

We avoided the steep entry fee at St. Paul's Cathedral, which would have cost a family of three £62, by attending the Eucharistic services there yesterday. Christopher Wren's imposing masterpiece still impresses.

Let’s chat about Christopher Wren, a total rockstar from the 1600s.

This guy, born in 1632 in a little village in Wiltshire, England, was like the ultimate Renaissance man—think architect, math whiz, and stargazer all rolled into one.

He went to Oxford, got his degree, and started nerding out on stuff like astronomy and physics. He was so into science that he helped kick off the Royal Society, which was basically the cool kids’ club for brainiacs back then.

Then came the Great Fire of London in 1666, which burned the city to a crisp. Wren saw his chance and went full architect mode. His big claim to fame? St. Paul’s Cathedral. That massive, gorgeous dome you see in London’s skyline? Yeah, that’s his baby, built from 1675 to 1710.

It’s this stunning mix of Baroque flair and classic vibes. He didn’t stop there, though—he whipped up 51 other churches, like St. Mary-le-Bow and St. Bride’s, plus some fancy spots like the Royal Exchange and bits of Hampton Court Palace. He even had this wild idea to rebuild London with big, open streets and a neat grid, but folks were like, “Nah, too much work.”

On the science side, Wren was no slouch. He messed around with telescopes, came up with ideas about planets, and even dabbled in stuff like blood transfusions. He was buddies with big names like Isaac Newton, which says a lot about his cred. Personally, Wren was married twice—first to Faith, who passed away, then to Jane, who also died young. He had four kids and was known for being a humble, curious guy who loved teaming up with others. When he died in 1723, they buried him in St. Paul’s, and his tombstone basically says, “If you want to see what I did, just look around.” Total mic drop. The dude’s work still defines London, and his mix of brainy science and jaw-dropping buildings makes him a legend.

Let’s drill down about St. Paul’s Cathedral, the absolute gem of London that Wren cooked up.

This place is like the prima donna of churches, sitting pretty on Ludgate Hill with that massive, iconic dome that’s been stealing the show since the late 1600s.

Back in 1666, the Great Fire of London torched the old cathedral, which was already a bit of a mess. Enter Wren, who was like, “Hold my beer, I’m gonna build something epic.”He got to work in 1675, and after about 35 years of blood, sweat, and some serious architectural swagger, St. Paul’s was done in 1710. That dome? It’s not just a looker—it’s a beast, with a double-shell design that keeps it sturdy while looking like it’s floating.

Inside, you’ve got this jaw-dropping mix of Baroque flair—think fancy gold details, soaring ceilings, and mosaics that pop. The Whispering Gallery up in the dome is wild; you can whisper on one side, and someone across the way hears it clear as day, thanks to some acoustic magic.

Wren didn’t just make it pretty. He thought about every detail, from the grand nave to the crypt where he’s buried himself, with a cheeky epitaph that’s like, “You want my legacy? Look around, fam.” The place has seen some big moments too—royal weddings, like Charles and Diana’s in ’81, funerals for heavyweights like Churchill, and it stood tall through the Blitz in World War II, becoming this symbol of London’s grit.

It’s not just a church; it’s a vibe. You walk in, and it’s like history smacks you in the face with how grand it is. Above, for instance, are the graves of Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.

There are also tributes galore to the likes of Lord Cornwallis (to whom this American said, "Boooh!") and the great T.E. Lawrence, AKA, Lawrence of Arabia. See below.

Still a working cathedral, so you’ve got services, concerts, and tourists snapping pics left and right. If you’re ever in London, you gotta check it out—it’s Wren’s masterpiece, no question.