Wren鈥檚 masterpiece emerges from 拢40m restoration project

One of London鈥檚 most iconic buildings has celebrated its 300th anniversary.

The Queen attended a service today to celebrate the official completion of St Paul鈥檚 Cathedral in 1711.

The building also emerged from a 拢40m restoration project which has taken 15 years and was timed to finish before the building鈥檚 birthday. The building鈥檚 stone exterior was painstakingly cleaned, its sculptures repaired and the interior conserved.

Martin Stancliffe, surveyor to the fabric at the cathedral, who has overseen the restoration project, said: 鈥滻t has been a privilege 鈥� and an extraordinary experience - to have led the team of professionals, craftsmen and conservators who have contributed so much to this transforming project. This great building is now in a sound state, and probably looks better than at any time since its completion in 1711.鈥�

St Paul鈥檚 is holding a photography competition to celebrate the restoration. The ten winning images will be exhibited in the cathedral鈥檚 crypt. To enter photographers must upload their images to   by 16 July.

St Paul's cathedral celebrates its 300th anniversary

Source: Graham Lacdao / St Paul鈥檚 cathedral

St Paul鈥檚 cathedral celebrates its 300th anniversary

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