St Mary Axe facts for kids
St Mary Axe is a famous street in the City of London, England. It's known for its interesting buildings and long history. The street gets its name from a very old church called the Church of St Mary Axe, which used to stand there many centuries ago.
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What's in a Name?
The name "St Mary Axe" has a cool story behind it. It combines "St Mary," which refers to the Virgin Mary, and "Axe." The "Axe" part might come from a nearby pub that had a sign showing an axe. Or, it could be linked to a group of craftspeople called the Worshipful Company of Skinners, who used axes in their work and supported the church. People even say there was a sign of an axe right on the church building itself!
A Street of Famous Buildings
Today, St Mary Axe is famous for some very modern and unique buildings.
The Gherkin
One of the most well-known buildings is The Gherkin, located at No. 30. It's a tall, distinctively shaped skyscraper that looks a bit like a pickle, which is why it's called "The Gherkin"! This building stands where the old Baltic Exchange building used to be. The original building was damaged in an event in 1992.
The Baltic Exchange
The Baltic Exchange is also found on St Mary Axe, at No. 38. It's a very important place where people trade things like ships and shipping contracts. It has a long history and is a key part of London's business world.
Getting Around St Mary Axe
The street St Mary Axe has a special traffic flow. At its northern end, it starts from Houndsditch, and cars can only go one way, heading south. At its southern end, it starts from Leadenhall Street, and cars can only go one way, heading north. These two one-way parts meet at Bevis Marks, where traffic then has to turn west onto Camomile Street.
St Mary Axe in Stories
The street has even appeared in books! In some novels by the British author Tom Holt, a firm of sorcerers (people who use magic) has their office at "Number 70 St Mary Axe." This is a fun nod to an old musical play called The Sorcerer by Gilbert and Sullivan. In that play, a character sings about his address being "Number Seventy, Simmery Axe," which is how some Londoners quickly say the street's name.
