The City of Westminster

The City of Westminster, about two miles upstream from the City of London, emerged as England’s political and religious center of power after the 11th century.

At the heart of Westminster is Westminster Abbey, begun by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 13th century.

It has always been closely associated with the monarchy and is used for such state occasions as coronations and royal funerals.

It is also a giant mausoleum, and more than 3000 notable people are buried there. Statues and monuments line the magnificent nave.

Virtually across the street are the Houses of Parliament, officially called the New Palace of Westminster. Farther west is the monarch’s permanent residence in London, Buckingham Palace.

To the north, Trafalgar Square links the political and religious section of Westminster to the rest of west London.

This square is a modest version of the great ceremonial squares of Europe, and was built in dedication to British naval commander Viscount Horatio Nelson, whose monument is at the square’s center. It has long been a popular site for large-scale political demonstrations.

Some significant buildings, such as the National Gallery, are on the square. On the northeast corner is Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, the classical-style church designed by James Gibbs in the 1720s.