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It took 19 years to complete and has been described by some as "England's answer to Rome's Sistine Chapel" - and now the famous Painted Hall in Greenwich is three hundred years old.

To mark the anniversary visitors are invited to take a look at the work ahead of an official celebration in June.

Sir James Thornhill was asked to decorate the magnificent hall, of what was then the Greenwich Hospital, in 1708. He was paid by the square yard at the rate of 拢3 for the ceilings and 拢1 for the walls.

The history

For his laborious work to cover the giant space the artist was rewarded with six and a half thousand pounds, and as a bonus he was knighted by the Queen!

Painted Hall, Greenwich

In 1824 the Hall became the National Gallery of Naval Art, a purpose it retained until the 1930's. But, with the start of World War II, the Painted Hall took on yet another purpose - a dining room for the Royal Navy.

Move forward to the late 1990's and the Old Royal Naval College opened its doors to tourists, with the Painted Hall becoming a focus of attention to international visitors.

The art

The lower Hall ceiling is said to herald Peace and Liberty paying tribute to the achievements of the British.

In the Upper Hall Queen Anne is pictured gazing over the various continents of the world, with America depicted with the image of Pocahontas.

The Painted Hall is free to enter and offers guided tours upon request.听 The official event to celebrate the 300th anniversary is on the 29th June 2008 - and will be marked by a Children's Art Day.