Westminster Abbey or the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, London Essay

Westminster Abbey is one of the most impressive religious sites worldwide. Its formal name is the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, and it is located in London, England. Originally, the building was a Benedictine monastery until it was dissolved in 1539 and became a place for the English, and the British, monarchs’ coronation. It is also a burial site of the former rulers and notable people such as writers, poets, and scientists. Notably, it is essential to distinguish between Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, as many people do not see the difference, whereas it is rather significant. Unlike Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, not to mention that the latter was constructed much later in history. Being the main religious building in England, Westminster Abbey is visited by more than one million guests every year. Moreover, it has become a typical tourist site for travellers all around the world. However, as Westminster Abbey is an actively operating Anglican Church, the opening hours and entering fees are different for these two groups. Tourists usually have to pay for visiting the site any day of the year except for Sundays and religious holidays. On such days, the Church is open only for the purpose of worshipping, so it is usually attended by the congregation, as well as by anyone willing to participate in services, which will be absolutely free. Additionally, it is important that tourists remember to dress appropriately when visiting Westminster Abbey. The clothes should be in modest fashion and hats must be removed by the male visitors. To sum up, Westminster Abbey is the most significant religious site in England with a rich history and a deep spiritual meaning. Everyone should visit it at least once in their lifetime to see its beauty and sanctity first-hand.