WESTMINSTER ABBEY

A grand place of Christian worship, Westminster Abbey has been part of British history for 1.000 years. Kings and queens have been crowned in the abbey since 1066, and it is the final resting place for 17 of them. The present structure dates from 1245, when it was started by Henry III.

Despite its great age, Westminster Abbey is still part of British religious life. The building also hosts concerts, lectures, and special services throughout the year. It is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

It has a Gothic architectural style. The status of the Abbey is that of a Royal Peculiar. This means it is place of worship that falls directly under the jurisdiction of the British monarch, rather than under a bishop. The concept dates from Anglo-Saxon times, when a church could ally itself with the monarch and therefore not be subject to the bishop of the area. Technically speaking, it is not a cathedral, though it is regarded as one in practice. One of the most famous tombs at Westminster Abbey is that of the Unknown Warrior.

Here you can find a virtual tour of the Westminster Abbey: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/learning/virtual-tours