St Paul's Cathedral

circa 1855

In this stunning photograph from around 1855, the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral rises solemnly through the London haze, towering above a busy riverside quarter along the River Thames. Barges, timber docks, and warehouses line the water — the lifeblood of a Victorian city in full industrial swing.

St Paul’s had already stood for over 150 years by then, having been completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London. It was, and remains, a symbol of endurance and faith — a beacon through times of empire, war, and modernisation.

In 1855, London was experiencing sweeping change: public health reforms were underway, gas lamps were spreading across the streets, and the city was becoming the largest metropolis on earth. This image captures that contrast — monumental architecture and the gritty, working-class riverside that powered it.

🌉 Have old photographs of life near rivers, ports or cathedrals? Upload them to Oldpik.com and help us map the transformation of our urban landscapes — one photo at a time.