Unearthing History: Hidden Gems of London’s Barbican

The Barbican estate, known for its brutalist architecture, surprisingly holds remnants of its pre-war past. This article explores these hidden historical artifacts, starting with St. Giles-without-Cripplegate church, a Tudor/Medieval structure that survived the Blitz and features a stained-glass window anachronistically depicting both the old Cripplegate and modern skyscrapers. The churchyard’s surviving gravestones, potentially marking Roman-era features, are integrated into the modern landscape. Further exploration reveals sections of the Roman and medieval walls, including a tower of St. Alphage church with crenellations from the Wars of the Roses, now enhanced by recent landscaping. Other remnants include a gold-refiner’s frieze and a piece of the Mendelssohn tree, highlighting the Barbican’s layered history. The article encourages readers to explore these hidden historical gems before planned redevelopments alter the area, emphasizing the unexpected juxtaposition of ancient and modern within the Barbican.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/reflections-on-the-barbican)