Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, London

Perched proudly above Queen Victoria Street, Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe has one of those names that sounds like it belongs in a fairy tale-or at least a very complicated medieval filing system. Originally known as Saint Andrew juxta Baynard Castle (because, naturally, there was a castle next door), it picked up its current title in 1361 when the King’s Great Wardrobe-basically the royal walk-in closet for crowns, capes, and other essentials-moved in just around the corner.

Both the castle and the church were reduced to ashes in the Great Fire of London in 1666. But like a phoenix-or at least a very determined architect-Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt Saint Andrew’s between 1685 and 1693. And what's more: this was his very last church project and his cheapest, clocking in at just over £7,000-courtesy of the coal tax. (Yes, Londoners literally paid for their churches one shovelful at a time.)

But that's not all the curious facts about this location. William Shakespeare himself had ties to this spot. For about 15 years, he worked just down the street at the Blackfriars Theatre and eventually bought a home in Ireland Yard, right inside Saint Andrew’s parish lines. Today, the church honors the Bard with a memorial in the western gallery: a charming carving of Shakespeare and his musical buddy John Dowland, both kneeling on a stage while cherubs dramatically yank back the final curtain. Because, of course, even angels appreciate good theater.

Beneath the scene, a fitting tribute reads:

"If music and sweet poetry agree,
As they must needs, the sister and the brother…
Dowland to thee is dear, whose heavenly touch
Upon the lute doth ravish human sense…"

In short, apart from being a great name, Saint Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe is a backstage pass to Shakespeare’s London.