It was a blaze of such magnitude it would alter the skyline of Britain’s capital forever.
Great Fire Of London Replica City Burns
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A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(02 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(03 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(04 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(05 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Members of the public watch a 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(06 of30)
A person stands on the shore watching a replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burning in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(07 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(08 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(09 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(10 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(11 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(12 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
(13 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(14 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(15 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
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A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(17 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(18 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(19 of30)
A replica of 17th-century London on a barge floating on the river Thames burns in an event to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, in London on September 4, 2016.A giant replica of 17th-century London was set ablaze on the Thames in the city to mark the 350th anniversary of the devastating Great Fire of London. The 1666 inferno destroyed most of the walled inner city dating back to Roman times -- a bustling, congested maze of tightly-packed wooden houses. It forced London to rebuild anew from the ashes. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
(20 of30)
The final touches are made to a 120 metre-long wooden sculpture of London's skyline from the seventeenth century as it is moored up on the river Thames in London on August 30, 2016.The sculpture titled London 1666 and designed by David Best will be ceremonially lit and burnt in the middle of the Thames on September 4 as part of celebrations to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
(21 of30)
The final touches are made to a 120 metre-long wooden sculpture of London's skyline from the seventeenth century as it is moored up on the river Thames in London on August 30, 2016.The sculpture titled London 1666 and designed by David Best will be ceremonially lit and burnt in the middle of the Thames on September 4 as part of celebrations to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
(22 of30)
The final touches are made to a 120 metre-long wooden sculpture of London's skyline from the seventeenth century as it is moored up on the river Thames in London on August 30, 2016.The sculpture titled London 1666 and designed by David Best will be ceremonially lit and burnt in the middle of the Thames on September 4 as part of celebrations to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Workers put finishing touches in place to a 120 metre long wooden sculpture of 17th century London's skyline on the River Thames ahead of it being burnt this Sunday on August 30, 2016 in London, England. The sculpture , named 'London 1666', has been designed by David Best and is part of the London's Burning Festival commemorating the Great Fire of London in 1666. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Workers put finishing touches in place to a 120 metre long wooden sculpture of 17th century London's skyline on the River Thames ahead of it being burnt this Sunday on August 30, 2016 in London, England. The sculpture, named 'London 1666', has been designed by David Best and is part of the London's Burning Festival commemorating the Great Fire of London in 1666. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: A worker puts finishing touches to a 120 metre long wooden sculpture of 17th century London's skyline on the River Thames ahead of it being burnt this Sunday on August 30, 2016 in London, England. The sculpture , named 'London 1666', has been designed by David Best and is part of the London's Burning Festival commemorating the Great Fire of London in 1666. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Workers put finishing touches in place to a 120 metre long wooden sculpture of 17th century London's skyline on the River Thames ahead of it being burnt this Sunday on August 30, 2016 in London, England. The sculpture, named 'London 1666', has been designed by David Best and is part of the London's Burning Festival commemorating the Great Fire of London in 1666. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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The final touches are made to a 120 metre-long wooden sculpture of London's skyline from the seventeenth century as it is moored up on the river Thames in London on August 30, 2016.The sculpture titled London 1666 and designed by David Best will be ceremonially lit and burnt in the middle of the Thames on September 4 as part of celebrations to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
(29 of30)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: A 120-metre long wooden model of London's 17th-century skyline burns on the River Thames after it was set alight in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire of London on September 4, 2016 in London, England. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Members of the public look on at a 120 metre long wooden sculpture of 17th century London's skyline on the River Thames ahead of it being burnt this Sunday on August 30, 2016 in London, England. The sculpture, named 'London 1666', has been designed by David Best and is part of the London's Burning Festival commemorating the Great Fire of London in 1666. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
Destroying 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange, Guildhall and St Paul’s Cathedral, the Great Fire of London was unsparing as it bore down on the city.
Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Now 350 years on, London will burn once more – that is a 120 metre-long replica of its 17 century self - will be set ablaze on the Thames on Sunday 4 September.
Entitled London 1666: Watch It Burn, the project is a collaboration between American artist David Best and creative company Artichoke.
Artichoke
If you plan to catch the event in person you will need to make your way to the Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge from 6pm (spaces are limited), in time for an 8.30pm start.
Or you can guarantee yourself a fireside seat from your home via the above live stream.
Artichoke
Helen Marriage, director of Artichoke, said: “London 1666 is essentially a project in which a model of 17 century London gets made, mounted onto barges, floated down the Thames and then in front of an enormous audience on the 350 anniversary, we commemorate the burning of London by setting it all on fire.”
You can watch a timelapse of the construction of the model below.