St John's - Smith Square, London, UK
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N 51° 29.775 W 000° 07.623
30U E 699416 N 5708926
St. John's, Smith Square - situated in the heart of Westminster - is regarded, not only as one of the masterpieces of the English Baroque, but as one of London's finest concert venues, attracting internationally renowned artists and performers. St John's was church was sold as a ruin following firebombing in World War II, it was restored, the internal layout altered somewhat, and is now used as a concert hall.
Waymark Code: WM5JWG
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/15/2009
Views: 11
St. John's, Smith Square, in the heart of Westminster, is one of London's major concert venues and favourite historic buildings. Valued for its superb acoustic, it presents an extremely varied programme of classical music throughout the concert season, ranging from choirs and symphony orchestras to solo instrumental recitals.
Built in 1728, and restored after damage in the Second World War, St. John's is one of the finest examples of English Baroque architecture and is considered a masterpiece of this style. St. John's has been dubbed 'Queen Anne's Footstool' due to a legend that the architect, Thomas Archer, consulted Queen Anne on the design of the new church. In reply the monarch petulantly kicked over her footstool and snapped 'like that!' Thus the four towers are said to give the building the semblance of an upturned footstool. The superb, atmospheric restaurant in the crypt is now called 'The Footstool'.
As Sir Hugh Casson has said of St. John's ' just to come across it in that quiet square is an event. To enter it, to enjoy its spaces, to listen to fine music within its walls is an experience not to be matched in conventional concert halls and is a lasting tribute to the man who designed it.'
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