The Interior, though 'classic' in its details, has the general ground-plan of a Gothic church: nave and aisles, with triforium and clerestory, transepts, and choir, with, however, the great dome-space at the crossing. Though somewhat bare and dark, the view of the interior is very imposing. Against the massive piers rise Corinthian pilasters, and stone enrichments relieve the wall-spaces. Wren no doubt contemplated the use of colour in the decoration, but, though Thornhill's paintings in the dome were finished in 1720, nothing more was done in this direction until the mosaics in the dome and choir were added in 1863-97, at the expense of a decoration fund raised mainly by the efforts of Dean Milman (died 1868).
Although a complete survey of the huge proportions of the cathedral cannot at present be obtained, the nave and aisles, which alone are open to visitors, present the appearance of an impressive church. After our description of these, we retain an account of the temporarily closed portions of the church, before proceeding to the crypt and galleries. A view of the dome and of the area beneath it is obtained from the Whispering Gallery. The monuments throughout the church, though the majority are of little value as works of art, are eloquent of the nation's history.
