The Monument re-opened on Monday 16 February
2009.
Read
about the refurbishment progess on the project
website.
Built to commemorate the Great Fire which devastated the City of
London in 1666, the Monument offers panoramic views over
London.
Standing 202 feet high, the Monument is the tallest isolated
stone column in the world. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and
Robert Hooke and constructed of Portland stone in 1671-7, the
simple Doric column is topped by a flaming urn of copper
symbolising the Great Fire. Climb the spiral staircase of 311 steps
to the balcony at the top and you are rewarded with breathtaking
views over the city in all directions, as well as a certificate of
achievement.
The Monument, which is maintained by the City of London at its
own expense, is open to the public every day from 9.30am-5.30pm
(last admission 5.00pm). Admission costs £3.00 per adult and £1.00
per child (under 16). Joint tickets with
Tower
Bridge for £8.00 and £3.50 respectively are also available. The
nearest underground station is Monument. Tel 020 7626 2717.
The Latin inscription on the north panel of the
pedestal translates as "In the year of Christ 1666, on 2
September, at a distance eastward from this place of 202 ft,
which is the height of this column, a fire broke out in the
dead of night which, the wind blowing, devoured even distant
buildings, and rushed devastating through every quarter with
astonishing swiftness and noise ... On the third day ... at
the bidding, we may well believe, of heaven, the fire stayed
its course and everywhere died out."