Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral was a find for my catholic longing in an anglical land.
The cathedral has a neo-​byzantine arquitecture. The nave has marbles and stone of green and white with the ceilings full of mosaics with different styles and designs.
One of the chapels is being restored.
I was drawn by the beauty of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. A place of infinite peace.
The Cathedral suffers in the shadow of the Abbey, like a poorer stepsister.
Nonetheless, it has a unique setting in the heart of England for the catholic faithful. A place of worship and spirituality.

An spectacular Catholic cathedral. Old, charming and spiritual where you feel closer to God and the perfect place to worship the Lord

Westminster Cathedral s the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The site on which the cathedral stands in the City of Westminster was purchased by the Archdiocese of Westminster in 1885. Westminster Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in England and Wales and the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster.
John Betjeman called it «a masterpiece in striped brick and stone in an intricate pattern of bonding, the domes being all-​brick.
In the late 19^th century, the Catholic Church’s hierarchy had only recently been restored in England and Wales, and it was in memory of Cardinal Wiseman (who died in 1865, and was the first Archbishop of Westminster from 1850) that the first substantial sum of money was raised for the new cathedral. The land was acquired in 1884 by Wiseman’s successor, Cardinal Manning, having previously been occupied by the second Tothill Fields Bridewell prison

Aunque soy de un pueblo muy cercano de Londres y he estado en la capital en numerosas ocasiones, muy pocas veces ha sido en plan turista. Pero últimamente se me ha dado por conocer a fondo esta ciudad maravillosa y esta catedral ha sido uno de mis descubrimientos favoritos. La verdad que no entiendo la razón por la cual no es muy frecuentada; la gente no sabe lo que se pierde.
Como a mi me chifla la arquitectura bizantina, aquí en este lugar estoy completamente en mi salsa ya que está construido en el estilo neo-​bizantino. Las capillas laterales están repletas de mosaicos que a mi me recuerdan mucho al Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) y también algunas están decoradas con mármol de Carrara, el mármol preferido de Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Aparte de la catedral, también se puede subir al campanario pero cuando yo fui ya lo estaban cerrando y no me dio tiempo subir.
Por cierto, la entrada es gratis; como casi todo en Londres. No dejéis de visitarla!

Beautiful
sacred
intimate
blessed
space.
Humbled I was here.

Breathtakingly beautiful! I’ll have to tell my great grandchildren to go one day so they can see the finished ceiling :) All of the mosaics in the side chapels were gorgeous. Finishing the rest will certainly put it on the map for more tourists! I’ve read accounts of how the Hagia Sophia used to positively glow during the daytime. This will be the same one day, and what a sight it will be to behold! You should check it out so you can tell everyone that you got to see it ‘before it was cool.’

If you’re into chapels and cathedrals this is the place for you. I am always impressed with the ceilings. The statues, mosaic and art work are just stunning. Here’s a little tip for you: for £5 staff in the gift shop will take you to the top of the bell tower where you can enjoy the terrific view of London.

Excellent place to check out.
It’s near the London McDonald’s and across from where they’re doing a bunch of construction. Clearly visible, and hardly anyone there except for all of the homeless people hanging out by the McDonalds.
We stumbled up on it when we took a wrong turn to Buckingham Palace and did not go inside. We looked at it from the outside and kept walking due to time constraints.
If you’re in London, at least put it on your list to see, the architecture is amazing.

This has to be one of the most amazing buildings in London — whether you’re Catholic /​religious or not — inside and out, with the most stunning views and it’s probably one of the most overlooked ones by tourists and Londoners alike as most don’t know it exists!
I finally made it there last week on my birthday as I met my Mum from Victoria and we both decided it was about time we made it up there and although very windy, we were so glad that we did as the views are fantastic… and only for a fiver AND you get a lift up there and back down and if you’re as lucky as us you will be up there all alone to enjoy the views and just with the escort in the lift too — VIP treatment!)
Highly recommended.

Monument de l’extérieur avec un style bizantin, un peu déroutant à Londres mais pourquoi pas
A l’intérieure c’est magnifique, plusieurs petites chapelle sur les côtés, les plafonds sont de toutes beauté
L’accès est gratuit et libre (dans le respect de la culture religieuse: pas de chapeau)

Another of the most iconic buildings in London, but also one that many tourists don’t know about. They go to the Westminster Abbey at the other end of Victoria Street and miss this fantastic marvel.
Built in the late 1890’s and though not consecrated until 1910, the Cathedral is an interesting and «foreign» look. Red brick with white bands is in a Byzantine style that makes it very unusual and it stands out from the boring concrete and glass office structures in the vicinity. The massive 285 tower literally towers over the area and is open to climb for viewing.
Inside the Cathedral is also impressive with mosaics all around and under a ceiling that defies description. It’s important to note that this is an active and working Cathedral, so show some respect, eh? No flashes! And your donations are appreciated.
Interestingly, Mass has been celebrated at this Cathedral by both Pope John Paul II (in 1982) and by Pope Benedict XVI (in 2010). Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1977 (though not for a religious ceremony), the first visit of a reigning monarch to a Catholic Church since the Reformation of the 15^th Century.

I went to visit for the first time: the singing by the
lay clerks of the Cathedral was wonderful (Palestrina 1590)
but to see a great church, go to Westminster Abbey
nearby, (I think some people confuse the two) or St Paul’s
or indeed the Russian Orthodox church in Kensington.
This one is quite kitsch by comparison

Tourist or not, it is a really beautiful place, so why not go check it out? Plus, as Cornelius S. said, they often have music concerts, so try to line up your visit with one of those bad boys!

Dark and gothic, very impressive interior. Being a Catholic, I thought it was a must to visit the cathedral and I am very glad I did. Highly recommended, and please donate to the church if you visit! You are able to go to the top of the bell tower to get some alternative views of London, which is also recommended.

This is one of the places why London is so COOL!!!

I am not religious or a church goer but my friend from Canada wanted to go here so I went with her. I really liked the place. So quiet and peaceful. Poets corner was just overwhelming and the architecture is beautiful. If you want to do one touristy thing in London then come here

great tranqual place to go, very good architecture, great views. They haave a gift shop so you can buy a souveniour like a guide book or music or even cuff links.
They hold mass six times a day you can check their website for times of the masses if you want to attend.
It gets very busy throughout the day with many people visiting and also they have lots of scholl trips so there are many children visting.
You can learn about the history and artehcticture of the cathedral which is very interesting.
You can even go up to the cathedral tower and visit the many chapels they have.

Westminster Cathederal is truly breathtaking, The design on the walls and celing are really ture works of art within themselves, however outside the Cathedral is rather disapointing when you have seen the inside, the inside is more traditional whilst the outside is more of an ugly modern building. Nonetheless it is still a magical place to visit, I wouldn’t reccomend taking young children though as they will gte bored easily.

As something of a devotee of religious architecture, I must admit that the outside of this cathedral church is NOT one of my favourites.
Whilst it is striking it seems to cower between the non-​descript office blocks in its garish party clothes, and then one goes inside and is swallowed up by majesty and real presence this IS a great religious building after all. It’s renowned neighbour is little more than a relic an historic repository for renowned tombs, a rentable space for state functions. this is a Church!
The ethereal interiors, the fact that faithful religious practice continues arround you, the smell of incense and the whisper of prayer all come together in this house of God, the beauty that lies within the beast.
I was fortunate to attend a friends wedding held in the Lady Chapel in the early 90’s. A beautiful service and quite other wordly with the addition of tourists who felt the necessity to courtsey as my friend, the bride, passed.
In short, as my fellow Qypers have said, do not be put off by the exterior but find your way to this place and take some time away from the hurley burley of the city within its walls, stop and embrace the peace and let the calm and beauty embrace you for a moment of much needed respite.

Nicht weit weg von der Westminster Abbey ist die katholische Mutterkirche Englands. Sie zwar architektonisch nicht jeder Manns Geschmack von Aussen, mit ihren verschieden farbenen Backsteinen, aber von Innen ist diese Kirche definitiv sehenwert. mit ihrem vielen Mamor und dem tollen Altar und Mosaiken. Am schoensten ist es abends, wenn es schon leicht daemmert, dann kommt besonders die dunkelblaue Decke mit den goldenen Sternen sehr gut zur Geltung. Gottesdienste werden ebenfalls regelmaessig in der Kirche abgehalten.

When I first moved down I honestly wasn’t such a huge fan of the architecture — and admittedly down the road from the Abbey it does suffer some. However, at a high mass with the full choir in the evening, the dark walls and ceiling create an amazing feeling of nothingness. Be careful about helping out with bazaars etc — once you do you’ll be down for every event on the calendar.

A quelques pas de Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral célèbre le culte romain… dans une architecture byzantine, choisie à la fin du 19ème siècle
on né va pas la voir souvent puisque catholique (dans un pays anglican) et d’architecture récente moins d’interêt dans les visites d’une journée où on né peut tout voir!

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL, the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood is the main Roman Catholic church in London and the whole of England. The structure as we know it today was designed by John Francis Bentley in 1839 and was completed in 1903 for Cardinal Herbert Vaughan.
The land the present building stands on was purchased by Cardinal Manning, Vaughan’s predecessor. It used to be a prison site before it changed hands and use. The building of Westminster Cathedral was fraught with financial difficulties because although Manning approved of Bentley’s innovative Gothic design for the cathedral raising finance was a major problem.
The first foundation stone was laid in 1895 and the entire structure was completed within a span of eight years. By the time all the finishing touches in every minute detail had been added it was 1910 and luckily the financial debt had been cleared. Cardinal Vaughan died and the first service held in this Cathedral was his funeral.
When this project was first planned Vaughan had wanted the cathedral to be leaning more towards the Italianate style, but Bentley persuaded him that the Byzantine theme was more appropriate. The architect Bentley drew his inspiration from Santa Sophia in Constantinople, one of the most famous Byzantine Churches of the time.
Many of the interior features are influenced by the Italianate style though:-especially the Pulpit, the Cross and the cover over the high altar. The Pulpit was created in early Christian style by CA Leoniri, dating as far back as 1899 and was raised on the columns in 1934. To the east of the Pulpit is the magnificent 15^th century statue of the Virgin and the Child known as Our Lady of Westminster.
The Cathedral interior really needs to be seen to appreciated.

Rather overshadowed in tourist guides by its more venerable and famous namesake (Westminster Abbey) just down the road, Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic faith in the UK. The church is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Originally the site of the infamous Bridewell children’s prison, the Cathedral Church of Westminster was designed in a red-​brick version of the Byzantine style by the architect John Francis Bentley. The foundation stone was laid in 1895 and the building was completed eight years later. It is probably the foremost Victorian Byzantine building in Britain, and its 83m (273ft) tower of alternating bands of orange-​red brick and Portland stone forms a distinctive landmark in Victoria — or at least it would, were it not quite so hemmed in by uninspiring office blocks, and the dull piazza at the main entrance.
But it is still a fascinating building, the more so because it isn’t actually finished: although the exterior is bright and pristine, the interior is dark and gloomy. This is because the enormous arches and vaults of the nave are constructed in brick, darkened by the accumulated grime of the last century. In fact, it’s quite hard to see the ceiling, resulting in the weird impression of the cathedral being open to the night sky. But it also helps to give it a uniquely spiritual feel.
The aim was — and still is — to cover the interior with mosaics. An impression of what this may ultimately look like can be gained from observing the completed schemes in the chapels and shrines around the cathedral, particularly the Lady Chapel and Blessed Sacrement Chapel. These are very impressive indeed, and recent work, if anything, is more attractive than the Edwardian originals. A nice feature of the cathedral is that every element is comprehensively described with explanatory panels.
There’s also a small shop and café. The web-​site is excellent and gives lots of information, as well as times of Masses (there are plenty to choose from).
Two things not to miss: recitals by the superb Cathdedral choir (there’s a permanent Choir School attached to the cathedral) and a trip up the tower: for £5, it provides an excellent view over this part of London, without feeling too giddy (the viewing platforms are well enclosed) and without the queues of the London Eye. There’s a lift — so you won’t feel exhausted!