Origins in the Middle Ages
Already in the 10th century there was a church on the present site of Westminster Abbey. It would become the symbol of the English nobility when Edward the Confessor had the church rebuilt in a Romanesque style in 1042. The construction work was completed a week before his death and the penultimate Anglo-Saxon king of England immediately became the first nobleman to be buried in the church. More than 3,000 important historical figures of Great Britain from all fields, including culture, science and politics, would find their last resting place here.A church with special status
In reality, Westminster Abbey is neither an abbey nor a cathedral. It is called Abbey because it was originally a monastic church of the Benedictines, and the Abbot of Westminster was an influential figure in the House of Lords. After Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1539, the church was granted cathedral status - this saved the building from demolition. The Catholic Mary I gave the building back to the Benedictines, who promptly had to vacate the field after her death by orders of her Protestant successor, Elizabeth I. The Benedictines were forced to abandon the building. She gave the church the status of Royal Peculiar, with which it is directly subordinate to the monarchy and not to a bishop. Until today this special status has been preserved.
Westminster Abbey interior | Herry Lawford CC BY 2.0A place of kings
Ever since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, all subsequent English coronations have taken place and continue to take place in Westminster Abbey, most recently the coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla on May 6, 2023. Construction of the building as we know it today, however, did not begin until 1245, and over the centuries it has been increasingly expanded and restored - most recently in 2013. The church has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Poet's corner | 14GTR CC BY-SA 4.0Grand ceremonies in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is not only a coronation church, but also the venue for the wedding ceremonies of the British royals, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and Kate Middleton and Prince William. Funeral services are also held here, for example for Princess Diana and the Queen Mother.Spectacular architecture
Westminster Abbey is a spacious church with quite a few side chapels as well as monuments and memorials in Poets' Corner, the Lady Chapel and the nave of the church. Lovers of science and literature are sure to find the burial places of personal heroes here. Guests can also see the Coronation Chair, where kings and queens have been crowned for 700 years, the chancel, the Pyx Chamber built around 1070, the Chapter House and the gardens.