The Monument

The Monument to the Great Fire of London is a well-known landmark located the northern end of London Bridge in the City of London, England. It was built to commemorate the devastating Great Fire of London, which occurred in 1666 and ravaged a significant portion of the city.

The Monument

The Great Fire of London by an unknown painter (1675)

The monument was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the same person who designed St. Paul's Cathedral, and it is a column with a viewing platform and golden urn at its top. The column stands at a height of 202 feet (62 meters), which is the exact distance between the monument and the site where the Great Fire began. 

The construction was commissioned by the English Parliament, which appointed a committee to oversee its creation. The funding came from a tax imposed on coal brought into the city, known as the ''Coal Tax''. It was completed in 1677, and it stands as a symbol of London's resilience and the city's ability to rise from the ashes of destruction. The structure also showcase the Baroque style, which was very popular during the period. 

Additionally, the Monument is a historic reminder of the city's darkest hour. It serves as a memorial to the lives lost and the immense destruction caused by the fire, which led to major urban planning reforms and the implementation of stricter fire safety regulations in the city.