The City of London — the Square Mile — is legally and historically distinct from Greater London. It has its own elected government (the City of London Corporation, which has existed in some form since the 12th century), its own police force, and its own ancient institutions. It is also the most economically powerful square mile on earth.
The Financial Heart
The Bank of England, the London Stock Exchange, Lloyd’s of London, and hundreds of global financial institutions are headquartered here. During the week, around 500,000 people work in the Square Mile. On weekends, the population drops to around 8,000. Walking through on a Sunday morning, when the glass-and-steel towers stand silent, is one of London’s stranger experiences.
Roman and Medieval London
The City occupies almost exactly the same footprint as Roman Londinium. Fragments of the Roman Wall can be seen at Tower Hill, Noble Street, and in the basement of the Museum of London. The medieval street pattern — narrow lanes, alleys, and courts — still underlies the modern city, giving it a maze-like quality that no amount of modern building has quite eliminated.
Wren’s Churches
Twenty-three of Christopher Wren’s City churches survive and are scattered through the Square Mile. Most are open on weekdays for visitors and lunchtime recitals. St Bride’s Fleet Street, St Stephen Walbrook, and St Mary-le-Bow are the most celebrated. They are among the finest small ecclesiastical spaces in the world.
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