The Shard at London Bridge is London's - and Europe's - new tallest building

The Shard has overtaken One Canada Square at Canary Wharf as London's tallest building, the latest iconic landmark to dominate the capital's skyline.

St Paul's Cathedral seen from the roof of Tower 42 in the City of London

For 200 years St Paul's Cathedral was the tallest building at 111 metres but The Shard is nearly three times as tall.

London24 looks back at the history of some of the key buildings which have changed the face of London down the years.

St Paul's Cathedral

Completed: 1711 (Parliament declared that it was complete)

The old P&O building in Leadenhall Street in the City of London his making way for Lord Rogers' latest skyscraper, nicknamed the Cheese Grater

Architect: Sir Christopher Wren

About: The cathedral is famous for its dome, which houses the Whispering Gallery. It withstood the Blitz in 1940-41 and is an iconic part of Londons skyline. The cathedral's height of 111 metres made it the tallest building in London until the construction of the BT Tower.

Trivia: In 1716, the total construction costs amounted to 1,095,556 (147m in 2012).

The Clock Tower

Completed: 1858

Designer: Augustus Pigin

About: The tower is commonly called Big Ben, but this is the name of the bell. It chimes every 15 minutes. The first stroke of the hour bell should be correct to within a second. At midday, the first of the 12 chimes signifies the hour. ITN feature the tower in its 10 o'clock news.

Trivia: Charles Barry, architect of the Palace of Westminster (commonly known as the Houses of Parliament) asked Pigin to design the clock tower.

BT Tower

Completed: 1964

Architect: Eric Bedford

About: The BT Tower was the tallest building in Great Britain, standing at 189 metres, until it was overtaken by the Natwest Tower in 1980. The tower is still used today for communications. The BT Tower was given Grade II listed building status in 2003. Several of the defunct antennas on the building can't be removed without consent.

Trivia: The BT Tower used to be known as the Post Office Tower.

One Canada Square

Completed: 1991

Architect: Cesar Pelli and others

About: The building is the landmark for the Canary Wharf district in London. It was the first building of the complex and it was joined by several other high-rise buildings. It was only replaced as Londons tallest building by The Shard.

Trivia: This building is often, incorrectly, referred to as Canary Wharf but it is the business district that holds the name.

The Shard

Completed: 2012

Architect: Renzo Piano

About: The building has clear blue glass that reflects the weather conditions. In the sunshine, the building will shimmer on the skyline like a shard of glass. There will be a hotel, spa and apartments in the building as well as an observation deck. The Shard is described as a 310m tall vertical city.

Trivia: The shape and design of the Shard is influenced by a church spire.

The 'Cheese Grater'

Estimated completion: 2014

Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

About: The building, at 122 Leadenhall Street, City of London, will house, in part, the Aon Corporation. The new tower will feature a tapered glass faade, which will reveal the steel bracings in order to the vertical appearance of the tower on one side.

Trivia: The former building was badly damaged by the Provisional IRA.

What are your favourite tall buildings in London? Do you think the city's skyline looks better with tall buildings or would you prefer to see less skyscrapers? Add your comments below.