The Square Mile: the City of London
'The City of London' is the area that was occupied by the Romans who built the original walled city.
The size of the area is just over one square mile. This is why we call it 'The Square Mile'.
'The City' or 'The Square Mile' usually refers to the UK's financial centre. This small area has been a global financial centre for centuries. The City's boundaries have remained almost the same since the Middle Ages. The area outside the walled city was countryside. |
Lady Justice, the Old Bailey
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1666, most of the City of London was destroyed by The Great Fire of London. Eighty-eight churches were destroyed. Sir Christopher Wren designed and rebuilt 51 of them, including St.Paul's cathedral.
During World War Two, the City of London was destroyed again. In the 1970s, the first skyscrapers began to fill the skyline. In the 1980s and 90s, the area was bombed by the IRA (Irish Republican Army). There are still many beautiful medieval churches, guild halls and open spaces hiding between the new modern buildings.
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For walks in The City, click on the links below:
A falcon. These birds are used in The City to help get rid of the pigeons
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Within the City (the square mile) there
are over 150 parks and open spaces |
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The area known as 'The Square Mile' (the City of London)
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