10 - St. Giles-without-Cripplegate, City of London (late 1300s)

Within the Barbican complex (see posting re: London Wall) and right next to the London Wall remains sits St. Giles-without-Cripplegate which, like all of the old medieval London churches, has a rich history with many famous members and attendees.  A church is known to have been at this location for centuries.  The current church was developed in the late 1300s. A legend says the church takes its name from a large gate at the adjacent London Wall, which itself was known as "Cripplegate"; the story, as I have read it, is that that cripples would seek help at the church.

And, like so many other medieval structures, it was badly damaged in fires at different times and then again during the Blitz. 

Here is what the church inside looked like after bombing:

St. Giles Cripplegate interior after bombing
(Source: medieval-london.blogsplot)

And here is one of the bombed-out neighborhood, some time after cleanup and what looks like a church restoration beginning.  In this photo, the London Wall segment at the Barbican is just to the right of the church.

Source: Unknown

This church is a marvel because, like the adjacent London Wall remnants, it features prominently. Like a beautiful flower in a sea of postwar 20^th Century ugliness?  Here's how it looks today: 

Night view of St. Giles-Cripplegate, from the NW