The City

Today, this area is the financial center of Europe. It has only about 6000 residents and is almost deserted during the weekend, but on weekdays it buzzes with activity.

In the City you find one of London’s most famous landmarks: the St. Paul’s Cathedral. Besides this domed masterpiece, you can find the oldest remains of London in the City: the London Wall, which was built by the Romans, can be seen from the sidewalk. More of London’s Roman (and other) history can be found at the Museum of London, which is built on the site of a Roman Fort. It is located at 150 London Wall.

Many of London’s tallest office towers can be found in the City, including the National Westmister Tower (or Natwest Tower), London's talles skyscraper when it was built in 1980

Another well-known building is the Lloyd’s of London, designed by Richard Rogers, the architect of the Centre Pompidou in Paris (and it shows). An interesting new office building in the City is the 127m high City Point.

The latest remarkable tower in the City is the Swiss Re building, also known as 30 St. Mary Axe. This modern glass tower with its remarkable cirgar-like shape was designed by Fosters and Partners. The 180m tall tower, built in 2003 had a big impact on the City's skyline.

The Barbican Centre, a 35 acre urban complex is a city inside a city: it is one large network of apartment buildings, gardens, garages, exhibitions halls and offices connected to each other by pedestrian bridges and walkways. Some of London’s most prominent cultural organizations, like the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare company are located in this complex.