The Monument

The Monument stands in Monument Street off Fish Street Hill and was built in 1671-77 by Sir Christopher Wren and Dr Robert Hooke to commemorate the Great Fire of London of 1666. The fire began on Sunday 2nd September and lasted until Wednesday 5th September. Although there was little loss of life the fire consumed or damaged thousands of buildings including St Paul's Cathedral. The only buildings to survive were those built of stone.

The balcony is reached by climbing the 311 cantilevered stone steps of the world’s tallest free standing Doric column. The Monument was originally topped off with a copper urn from which flames emerged symbolising the fire.

The Monument is 202ft high (62m) which is the exact distance from the fires source in a bakers shop in Pudding Lane.