The Queen's funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey. Take a look inside the 750-year-old gothic church where kings, queens, and poets have been buried.

Maria NoyenSep 18, 2022, 17:53 IST

Westminster Abbey.Getty Images

The funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, UK.
It's a historical place, one with sentimental value to the Queen, who married Prince Philip there.

Elizabeth II was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey in 1953, and on Monday, it's where her coffin will lie briefly during her funeral.

Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey during her 1953 coronation (left) and the service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh in 2022 (right).Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Westminster Abbey was specifically chosen for the Queen to allow the most people to pay their respects, according to the duke who spent 20 years planning it.

The Western Towers at Westminster Abbey are gothic in style.emson/Getty Images

It was built on the remains of an older church in the middle of the 13th century.

The nave and altar at Westminster Abbey.DEA / G. WRIGHT / Contributor

Inside the abbey, one of the first significant areas is called the nave. That's where the tomb of an unknown British soldier who died in France during World War II is located.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is one of the most significant historical points at the entrance of Westminster Abbey.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Inside the abbey, one of the first significant areas is called the nave. That's where the tomb of an unknown British soldier who died in France during World War II is located.

Also located in the nave is what is known as Scientists' Corner, where some of the greatest British scientific minds have been laid to rest, including Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking is one of the great minds to be buried in Scientists' Corner at Westminster Abbey.Ben Stansall - WPA Pool /Getty Images

A similar space in the abbey is called Poets' Corner. Here, more than 100 writers and poets, including William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, have been memorialized.

Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images

The abbey features a space for choir stalls, where singers have stood to sing hymns for an array of royal occasions such as Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.

The choir stalls at Westminster Abbey on the day of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL WPA/AFP via Getty Images

Just steps away from the choir stalls is what's known as the Cosmati Pavement, an intricate floor mosaic constructed in 1268 from over 30,000 pieces of onyx, porphyry, and glass.

The Cosmati Pavement contains inscriptions calculating the end of the world.Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Just steps away from the choir stalls is what's known as the Cosmati Pavement, an intricate floor mosaic constructed in 1268 from over 30,000 pieces of onyx, porphyry, and glass.

Facing the pavement is the High Altar, where monarchs are crowned, which is gold embellished and was designed in 1867.

The high altar.John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images

During the Queen's funeral, her casket will, for at least a day, lie close to the tomb of her namesake, Queen Elizabeth I.

The tomb of Queen Elizabeth I in Westminster Abbey.John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images

The abbey has nearly been destroyed multiple times throughout its history, including when firebombs rained down on London in 1941 during World War II.

Bomb damage to the area of Westminster Abbey known as The Crossing.Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

But Westminster Abbey survived. In the decades that followed, it was the stage for multiple royal weddings, including the Queen's in 1947, and royal funerals, including Princess Diana's.

Westminster Abbey at dusk.Getty Images

But Westminster Abbey survived. In the decades that followed, it was the stage for multiple royal weddings, including the Queen's in 1947, and royal funerals, including Princess Diana's.

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The Queen's funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey. Take a look inside the 750-year-old gothic church where kings, queens, and poets have been buried.

Elizabeth II was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey in 1953, and on Monday, it's where her coffin will lie briefly during her funeral.

Westminster Abbey was specifically chosen for the Queen to allow the most people to pay their respects, according to the duke who spent 20 years planning it.

It was built on the remains of an older church in the middle of the 13th century.

Inside the abbey, one of the first significant areas is called the nave. That's where the tomb of an unknown British soldier who died in France during World War II is located.

Also located in the nave is what is known as Scientists' Corner, where some of the greatest British scientific minds have been laid to rest, including Stephen Hawking.

A similar space in the abbey is called Poets' Corner. Here, more than 100 writers and poets, including William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, have been memorialized.

The abbey features a space for choir stalls, where singers have stood to sing hymns for an array of royal occasions such as Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.

Just steps away from the choir stalls is what's known as the Cosmati Pavement, an intricate floor mosaic constructed in 1268 from over 30,000 pieces of onyx, porphyry, and glass.

Facing the pavement is the High Altar, where monarchs are crowned, which is gold embellished and was designed in 1867.

During the Queen's funeral, her casket will, for at least a day, lie close to the tomb of her namesake, Queen Elizabeth I.

The abbey has nearly been destroyed multiple times throughout its history, including when firebombs rained down on London in 1941 during World War II.

But Westminster Abbey survived. In the decades that followed, it was the stage for multiple royal weddings, including the Queen's in 1947, and royal funerals, including Princess Diana's.