GUILDHALLGUILDHALLLONDONLONDON

WHERE IT IS? WHERE IT IS?

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WHAT THE GUILDHALL IS?WHAT THE GUILDHALL IS?

Guildhall is the Guildhall is the home of the home of the City of London. City of London.

The site was originally a Roman The site was originally a Roman Amphitheatre, the largest in Amphitheatre, the largest in Britain. It was built around Britain. It was built around 70AD. Spectators, could come 70AD. Spectators, could come there to watch animal hunts, there to watch animal hunts, executions and gladiator executions and gladiator combats. combats.

The present Guildhall The present Guildhall was begun in 1411 was begun in 1411 and, having survived and, having survived both the Great Fire of both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz.London and the Blitz.

It is a place where It is a place where royalty and state royalty and state visitors have been visitors have been entertained down the entertained down the centuries.centuries.

As the home of the City As the home of the City of London, Guildhall of London, Guildhall has been the centre of has been the centre of City government since City government since the Middle Ages. the Middle Ages.

In Anglo-Saxon 'gild' In Anglo-Saxon 'gild' means payment, so it means payment, so it was probably a place was probably a place where citizens would where citizens would pay their taxes. pay their taxes.

A modern block of offices A modern block of offices behind the Guildhall still behind the Guildhall still administers the day-to-administers the day-to-day business of the day business of the Corporation of London. Corporation of London.

The Guildhall hosts The Guildhall hosts many events many events throughout the year .throughout the year .

Here have taken place Here have taken place banquets, royal banquets, royal occasions, and occasions, and receptions for major receptions for major historical anniversaries. historical anniversaries.

Every November at the Guildhall, the Every November at the Guildhall, the outgoing Lord Mayor hands over outgoing Lord Mayor hands over symbols of office to the new Mayor. The symbols of office to the new Mayor. The ceremony is called the ceremony is called the Silent ChangeSilent Change, , so called because no words are spoken. so called because no words are spoken. The following day is the The following day is the Lord Mayors Lord Mayors ShowShow, when the Mayor in his gold state , when the Mayor in his gold state coach, travels from the Guildhall coach, travels from the Guildhall around the City.around the City.

It is open to the public It is open to the public during the London during the London Open House weekend. Open House weekend.

You can see the You can see the Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery The Clockmakers' The Clockmakers' Museum and the Museum and the Guildhall Library.Guildhall Library.

Below Guildhall lie the Below Guildhall lie the largest medieval largest medieval crypts in London.crypts in London.

THE ROOMS:THE ROOMS:

Great HallGreat Hall

The imposing medieval Great Hall is the largest and most impressive room, The imposing medieval Great Hall is the largest and most impressive room, and is where royalty and state visitors have been entertained down the and is where royalty and state visitors have been entertained down the centuries since it was originally built in 1411. centuries since it was originally built in 1411.

Guildhall Art Gallery and Basinghall SuiteGuildhall Art Gallery and Basinghall Suite

Is a recent addition to the Guildhall. Opened by Her Majesty The Queen in Is a recent addition to the Guildhall. Opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1999 it houses the City of London Corporation’s renowned collection of 1999 it houses the City of London Corporation’s renowned collection of works of art. The Basinghall Suite was built at the same time as the works of art. The Basinghall Suite was built at the same time as the Guildhall Art Gallery and opened in 1999. Guildhall Art Gallery and opened in 1999.

East and west CryptEast and west CryptThe East Crypt is the oldest part of Guildhall , West was built in The East Crypt is the oldest part of Guildhall , West was built in the 12th century the 12th century

The Old Library and Print RoomThe Old Library and Print Room Is a light and spacious room. It housed a collection of over 40,000 Is a light and spacious room. It housed a collection of over 40,000

volumes, MSS and maps. volumes, MSS and maps. The Livery Hall The Livery Hall

The Livery Hall has just been refurbished and is the most recent The Livery Hall has just been refurbished and is the most recent addition to the function areas at Guildhall. addition to the function areas at Guildhall.

Contact:Contact:

Venue address:Venue address: Guildhall, Gresham Street, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HHLondon EC2V 7HH

Postal address:Postal address: City of London Corporation, City of London Corporation, Guildhall, PO Box 270, London, EC2P 2EJGuildhall, PO Box 270, London, EC2P 2EJ

Address for suppliers:Address for suppliers: City of London City of London Corporation, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London, Corporation, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HHEC2V 7HH

Event enquiries and tours:Event enquiries and tours: 020 7332 020 7332 1313/1461/1463/32071313/1461/1463/3207

Email:Email: guildhall.events@cityoflondon.gov.uk guildhall.events@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Bibliography:Bibliography:

www.wikipedia.orgwww.wikipedia.org www.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.ukwww.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.uk www.pocketlondonguide.co.ukwww.pocketlondonguide.co.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.ukwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk Ida ślęzak 2eIda ślęzak 2e