Durham Cathedral
N 54° 46.465 W 001° 34.595
30U E 591560 N 6070618
Durham Cathedral was built from 1093 until 1130,and has been described as one of the greatest architectural experiences in Europe.
Waymark Code: WM4Z54
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/16/2008
Views: 35
The cathedral is a renowned masterpiece of Romanesque Norman architecture,taking 40 years to build it is the only cathedral in England to retain almost all of it's Norman craftsmanship.
The cathedral was built to house the shrine of St.Cuthbert,the most popular saint of Northern England.
The Cathedral stands on a peninsular of land created by a loop in the River Wear,and the cathedral's West end towers above a precipitous gorge.
The cathedral served as a political and military function by reinforcing the authority of the Prince-Bishops.
Everything about the cathedral is on a massive scale,the Northern font is nearly 500 feet in length from West to East,the nave quire and transepts are all Norman.
Over 600,000 visitors a year come to Durham Cathedral,and there are no entrance fees but it costs £60,000 a week to maintain the cathedral and associated buildings,also the cathedral does not receive any state aid whatsoever,so visitors donations are more than welcome.
A small charge is made to climb to the top of the cathedral tower,the view from the top once the seemingly never ending 325 stone spiral steps have been ascended is superb,and well worth the effort.
City, State or City, Country: Durham, Northumberland
Year Built: 1093-1130
Architect: unknown
Webpage from GreatBuildings.com or other approved listing: [Web Link]
Other website with more information about building: [Web Link]
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