Old Royal Naval College

Old Royal Naval College Review

Begun by Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, the college became instead a school for young ones in 1873. Today the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music have classes here. Architecturally, you'll notice how the structures part to reveal the Queen's House across the central lawns. Behind the college are two more buildings you can visit: the Painted Hall, the college's dining hall, derives its name from the baroque murals of William and Mary (reigned 1689-95; William alone 1695-1702) and assorted allegorical figures. James Thornhill's frescoes, depicting scenes of naval grandeur with a suitably pro-British note of propaganda, were painstakingly done over installments in 1708-12 and 1718-26, and were good enough to earn him a knighthood. In the opposite building stands the College Chapel, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1779 in an altogether more restrained, neo-Grecian style. Check the Web site for special events. Trinity College of Music holds free classical music concerts in the chapel every Tuesday lunchtime during the school year.