"In corners and upon steeples, and between churches and houses, as far as we could see up the city, a most horrid, bloody, malicious flame, not like the flame of an ordinary fire." - Samuel Peyps' eyewitness statement about the Great Fire of London in 1666.
It started apparently on Sunday ... Read review
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Advantages: Great views Disadvantages: A long sweaty climb
"In corners and upon steeples, and between churches and houses, as far as we could see up the city, a most horrid, bloody, malicious flame, not like the flame of an ordinary fire." - Samuel Peyps' eyewitness statement about the Great Fire of London in 1666.
It started apparently on Sunday night, 2nd September, in a bakehouse down Pudding Lane, near what was then East Smithfield. London was a mainly wood-constructed city, ... ...inferno.
Now please forgive this huge chunk taken from an old book that I have, but although I'm middle-aged, even I wasn't around back then to be able to relate anything meaningful on the fire itself...
*Taken from Walter Thornbury's 'Old London' -
"On the Monday night of the fire, Mr. Evelyn described the whole north of the city on fire, the sky ablaze for ten miles around and the scaffolds around ... more
"In corners and upon steeples, and between churches and houses, as far as we could see up the city, a most horrid, bloody, malicious flame, not like the flame of an ordinary fire." - Samuel Peyps' eyewitness statement about the Great Fire of London in 1666.
It started apparently on Sunday night, 2nd September, in a bakehouse down Pudding Lane, near what was then East Smithfield. London was a mainly wood-constructed city, but even the stone buildings offered little resistance to the inferno.
Now please forgive this huge chunk taken from an old book that I have, but although I'm middle-aged, even I wasn't around back then to be able to relate anything meaningful on the fire itself...
*Taken from Walter Thornbury's 'Old London' -
"On the Monday night of the fire, Mr. Evelyn described the whole north of the city on fire, the sky ablaze for ten miles around and the scaffolds around St. Paul's in flames. The following day he saw the stones of St. Paul's flying like grenades, the melting lead running in streams down the streets, the very pavements too hot for the feet, and the approaches too blocked for any help to be applied. A Westminster boy named Taswell, quoted by Dean Milman from 'Camden's Miscellany', has also sketched the scene. On Monday, the 3rd, from Westminster he saw, about eight o'clock, the fire burst forth and before nine he could read by the light of the blaze. The boy at once set out for St. Paul's, resting by the way upon Fleet Bridge, being almost faint with the intense heat of the air. The bells were melting and the vast avalanches of stones were pouring from the walls. Near the east end, he had found the body of an old woman, who had cowered there, burned to a coal. Taswell also relates that the ashes of the books kept in St. Faith's were blown as far as Eton and Windsor."
The damage to the city was appalling. Over 400 acres was devastated, destroying about 460 streets that contained 89 churches and 13,000 houses, and the many lives of those who were crammed into this space. The fire raged for 5 days.
Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for the design of the huge column that was erected to commemorate the disaster, and worked in conjunction with Robert Hooke. It took six years to finish, and it's said that the height of 202 ft corresponds to the fact that the fire broke out 202ft to the east of the column.
I visited the tower many years back, but it was impressive enough for the memory to remain with me, and I can well remember having to control my fear of heights in order to climb up over 300 steps to reach the top. You have to be reasonably fit in order to do this, and when I went there weren't any aids to making the trip up comfortable, like a rail to cling on to as you spiral round inside. I must have looked like a sweaty female version of Spiderman as I inched up the stairs with my back flat against the walls. I seem to remember that there was no central column to the staircase which meant that you could see all the way down to the bottom through this hole, but maybe that was something that evolved through my nightmares over the years...
From the outside, the Monument is rather beautiful and graceful. The column is in the Doric style of greek architecture, which means that it is simple in design and fluted. The very top has a gilded urn that holds a globe rising from the flames, and below this the square viewing platform runs around it which offers staggering views over the city, and on a clear day in between the larger buildings of today, much further beyond.
There are 3 panels on the high square base that record the story of the fire and the subsequent rebuilding of London, but be warned, it's in Latin. The fourth side has a relief showing King Charles II offering protection to the ruined city, (which brings the words 'stable door', 'horse' and 'bolted' to mind), but the bit I remember most was being told that a further inscription on the pedestal had had to be removed in the early 1800's because it ascribed the fire to the "Popish faction". It never fails to amaze me what people will blame simple accidents on.
The Monument can be found close to London Bridge and the Tower of London, in Fish Street Hill, EC4. Monument underground station is close by.
I paid a couple of quid when I went, but sadly I have no idea what the charge would be today. However, I could quite honestly say that whatever it was, it would be worth it.
Advantages: A cheap quick and worthy place to visit Disadvantages: The view is not the best of London
When I was 25 I took 1 week off work just to tour around London - I had lived there for 2 years already and although I had seen most of the large sites I knew there were the hidden places, secret London.....
Where is "Monument"?
Easy - Monument tube station on the circle line
Why is "Monument"
Monument was erected by Sir Christopher Wren (although I don't think he was a 'Sir' at that time) to commemorate the Great Fire of London of 1666.
1) ... ...in the fire (and in part the plague also which occurred the year before)
2) In part a tribute to the workers and designers who rebuilt the city tirelessly
3) In part celebration of the work, drive and camaraderie of the people in pulling together in rebuilding the community and keeping London the trade, social capital of England.
What is "Monument"?
Monument is a small tower column of 311 steps on Fish Street Hill at the north bank of the River ...
coleecip 26.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Monument, London
Advantages: quick and nice to take photos Disadvantages: nothing else to see
as it is called..the monument..just a monument..nothing big , nothing to shout about.
but do passby it and take a photo for memory..it does not take you much time, so why not...
you can take a bus or the underground tube to reach there...me and my friend just went there in the mid noon..so we managed to take some nice photos..because the sun was shining brightly..and the monument was nice in those photos...we went there a day before when it was ...
windchimes 09.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Monument, London
Advantages: great view, you get a certificate too! Disadvantages: doesn't take much time, not for those with vertigo
The Monument marks where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. It's easily reached from Bank and Monument tube stations on the Central line so it's no problem to get there. For a small price you can climb the (many!) stairs inside the column to the viewing platform at the top - not one for those who suffer from vertigo though. The view at the top is amazing, a great view of the city, and well worth the climb! Plus, when you go back down you are ...
sunstarrr 24.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Monument, London
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