Painted Hall

The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the UK” because of its breathtaking baroque interior. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, it was originally built as a dining hall for naval pensioners and completed in 1705. The magnificent ceiling and wall paintings, created by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726, celebrate Britain’s maritime power and the reigns of King William III, Queen Mary II, and Queen Anne. Covering over 4,000 square metres, the artwork is the largest painted ceiling in Europe and is filled with allegorical figures, gods, and symbols of naval strength. Today, the Painted Hall is open to the public as part of the Old Royal Naval College, offering visitors the chance to marvel at one of the finest achievements of British baroque art.