The street pattern remained mainly unchanged, and within ten years, the fire-ravaged section had been restored, introducing new architecture to the old city swiftly and on a big scale. Wren directed the reconstruction of 52 churches, 36 company halls, and the Monument to the Great Fire. His influence is evident in many buildings of interest today, such as St Paul's Cathedral.
Firefighting equipment improved during this time, and the number of fire stations increased from seven to forty-five. Fire engines were now driven by steam rather than horses, which reduced the risk of injury to firefighters. Public alarm systems were also installed throughout the city to alert people to the presence of flames.
In 1666, an act was passed that ordered the building of defensive fortifications around London. The first set of stone fortifications were built following the Great Fire, and it is these that you see today at places like Castle Hill and Green Park. The castle was never finished, but the park has become one of the largest in Europe.
After the fire, the city council decided that any new buildings should be made of brick or stone, instead of wood. This led to a surge in the construction of homes for London's growing population. The most famous example of this development is Bloomsbury Square, which was completed in 1754. It is a large square with a garden in the middle, connected to other squares and streets with wide boulevards.
There are 52 churches. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, he was tasked with reconstructing 52 churches in the City of London, including what is considered his masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral on Ludgate Hill, which was finished in 1710. It has been described as "the greatest work of its kind in Europe at that time."
Wren was not only an architect but also a mathematician, astronomer, and physicist. He invented a reflecting telescope that was much better than anything else available at the time.
He also designed the system of chimes used by London churches to warn of storms or other dangers. The bells were cast by the French founder Beaufoy, who had moved to England before Wren took over the job of bell maker at St Martin-in-the-Fields in 1697. The system uses different combinations of bells to signal various events/emergencies such as fire, earthquake, military action, etc.
Additionally, Wren is known for designing the organ that stands in St Paul's Cathedral today; it was built between 1696 and 1700 by George Frederick Handel.
Wren died in 1727 at the age of 85. He is regarded as one of the most important architects in British history.
The Great Fire paved the way for the scientist Christopher Wren to emerge as an architect, creating the new St Paul's Cathedral as well as the numerous rebuilt city churches, the survivors of which remain among the most lovely and yet underrated historic...
The fire also prompted the development of new technologies that would later prove useful in war time. The fire started in Pudding Lane near Dowgate Hill London on 4th May 1666 and by the next morning it had destroyed about 60% of the city.
It is estimated that 2,500 houses were demolished in order to put out the fire.
Although much of the old city was destroyed, it was also seen as a chance for renewal, with wide open spaces being created through the removal of buildings that stood in their way. This is why you will still find large areas of green space within the city limits, such as Clerkenwell Green and Charterhouse Square.
Additionally, the fire led to changes being made to building regulations, with brick now being used instead of timber for new construction. This is why we look upon the city with such fond memories even though so much of it was destroyed by the fire.
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