The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is one of Europe’s grandest Baroque interiors, often called “Britain’s Sistine Chapel” for its vast, intricate frescoes.
It served as a dining hall for Greenwich Pensioners until 1824, then Britain’s first National Gallery of Naval Art for a century, and hosted Lord Nelson’s lying-in-state in 1805. Later, Royal Navy officers ate there until 1997; today, guided talks reveal its stories. It sits adjacent to the building above
 
Interesting fact...
Often called “Britain’s Sistine Chapel,” the Painted Hall features Sir James Thornhill’s massive Baroque ceiling frescoes, completed over 27 years and depicting naval triumphs alongside subtle political propaganda for the monarchy. It served as a dining hall for retired “greenwich pensioners” (sailors), who ate beneath these grand artworks amid tobacco smoke and lively chatter.