Monument to the Great Fire of London — Attraction in London

I closely observed the combustion event, a striking and complex manifestation of thermodynamic principles intertwined with the raw, untamed energy of fire. This captivating phenomenon was both visually arresting and richly instructive, drawing me into its mesmerizing dance. The flames flickered and leapt with a dynamic interplay of colors against the backdrop of the dimming sky. It was as if the horizon had become a canvas splashed with a vibrant spectrum—from luminous yellows that mirrored the gentle embrace of daylight's earliest beams to deep, intense oranges and fiery reds that surged with kinetic vitality, reminiscent of a heartbeat's rhythmic cadence.

As the process of combustion began, an exothermic reaction took place, unleashing waves of heat that rippled through the surrounding air. This thermal energy caused noticeable distortions in the atmosphere, creating a series of refractive effects that appeared akin to shimmering mirages. In that moment, the movement of the flames emerged as a captivating display of complex fluid dynamics and thermodynamics; they twisted, curled, and oscillated with a graceful elegance that hinted at underlying chaotic behavior. Each flicker and surge crafted ever-evolving geometric patterns that seemed to symbolize the various physical processes in motion, revealing the chaotic beauty inherent in the dance of molecules.

The intricate shadows cast by the flames further enriched this visual tapestry, outlining the contours of the surrounding landscape and adding a profound layer of depth to the scene. As the flickering light played against the objects nearby, it revealed textures and shapes that might otherwise have gone unnoticed, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. This vivid spectacle served as a powerful illustration of the profound interplay between light and heat, showcasing the principles of radiative transfer and convection in a tangible way.

Completely absorbed by the scene, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe as I allowed the flames to captivate my gaze. They danced and flickered before me in a hypnotic rhythm, prompting a deep appreciation for the elemental forces at work in our environment. In that moment, I was reminded of the profound impact these forces have on nature and our lives, igniting within me a sense of wonder at the powerful interplay of chemistry and physics that fuels such a primitive yet essential aspect...

What a pleasant surprise to visit this magnificent monument commemorating the Great Fire of London!

Found by accident whilst strolling through London, I didn't hesitate to buy a ticket (£5.8) and climb to the top as I love great views. After climbing the narrow spiral staircase, which by the way was stunning, made up from black marble, perfectly lit up and therefore very photogenic, I reached a very small observation platform to enjoy the views. It all is really very narrow - both the platform and the stairs - the platform can host like 10 people maximum not to feel claustrophobic or crowded and that is precisely the reason visitors are asked to leave backpacks downstairs, so I did that too. However there is no dedicated place for luggage storage, so my backpack was just sitting at the bottom of the staircase and I felt a little insecure about it.

The views were actually great, 360 degree views over the City of London. I really enjoyed the proximity of the skyscrapers in the City, they were so close, so reachable. The Tower Bridge and the Shard were also great to see! Unfortunately the platform is fenced all over, even above visitors' heads with square mesh fence, therefore it obstructs the views a little and makes it almost impossible to take a decent picture with SLR camera or any camera with large lens.

It was not really crowded during my visit (at a guess people are not too keen to climb stairs - 311 to be exact - and pay for it). Payment with a card was preferred. Visited in July 2022.

Tip: Don't forget to go around the base of the monument and read a little bit about its history on...

The Great Fire began in a bakery owned by the King’s baker, Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane on September 2nd 1666, just 202 feet from the site of The Monument today. The bakery ovens were not properly extinguished, and the heat created sparks, which set alight Thomas’s wooden home.

At that time most buildings in the City were made of wood, and that, coupled with a dry summer, meant the flames spread with pace throughout the City. The fire raged for four days and during that time one third of all buildings in London were destroyed, 86% of the City was burnt to the ground and 130,000 people were made homeless.

Fortunately, there was limited loss of life during the Great Fire. However, the maid who discovered the fire is one of those that sadly perished.

The Great Fire spread rapidly, and most Londoners thought only of escaping – they went to the river where they bundled their goods onto boats, or they ventured to fields outside London (Moorfields) where they set up shelter.

With no fire service to call on, the extinguishing of the flames was left to Londoners, they did acquire the services of soldiers, but they had little resources with only buckets of water, water squirts and fire hooks to hand. The plan to halt the fire hinged on creating a gap between the houses so the fire couldn't spread, but the strong winds meant the fire jumped across the gap and raged on. Eventually the fire was stopped on the 4th day after creating widespread damage across the...