City

Temple Bar

Paternoster Square LONDON EC1

This beautiful gateway was originally positioned across Fleet Street.  The great doors were shut each night to keep out undesirables and to protect the citizens of the City of London.  The Temple Bar was originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren.  Unfortunately by Victorian times the huge gateway was blocking the passage of the carriages carts and public that thronged up and down Fleet Street.  It was demolished and every stone numbered, then it was removed to a stately home in Hertfordshire where it languished for over 100 years.

 Left: Temple Bar - Photo courtesy Stephen Worsfold

In 2003  movements were started to return Temple Bar to the City of London.  It was incorporated into the designs for the new Paternoster Square development opposite St Pauls Cathedral, and Prince Charles gave the whole scheme his "blessing".  Temple Bar was opened in its new location just before Christmas 2003.  It looks perfect here and and of course is in total harmony with the glorious architecture of St Pauls.

JB

Toilets nearby.

Nearest Tube station:  St Pauls.

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