Timeless Grandeur: A Guide to Visiting Chester Cathedral
2024-05-12
When you are exploring North West England, you will discover lots of natural beauty and architectural marvels. In Chester, you will see buildings and museums that will leave any human being in awe and admiration. Located at the heart of Chester, the Chester Cathedral is the perfect architectural beauty. Read on to learn all there is to know about Chester Cathedral.
Long History
Chester Cathedral boasts a rich history that dates back over a millennium. The cathedral was built over an old Roman fortress. After the eighth century, it served as a church dedicated to various saints.
In 1092, it became a Benedictine monastery, and as an abbey, it saw major upheavals and events that characterised Chester’s tumultuous mediaeval history.
The current building of the cathedral is the result of a campaign that started in the 1200s and was finished in 1540. It was the time when King Henry VIII announced the dissolution of old monasteries, and the old abbey became a cathedral of the Church of England.
After this, the cathedral became an educational establishment. It later saw a civil war across England, survived a mob attack, and went through further restorations in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1955, the cathedral and its adjacent buildings were grade listed and thus gained significant status.
Magnificent Architecture
The architecture of Chester Cathedral is a stunning fusion of mediaeval craftsmanship and Gothic grandeur. Its sandstone exterior is full of architectural details. The dominant look on the facade is an eight-light window above a recessed doorway.
Some of the remnants of Norman architecture still remain on the building. For instance, the north-west tower, which is of Norman design, is just like the lower part of the north wall.
The chapter house, built in the 13th century, is a gothic construction. The choir and five bays are also known to be decorated gothic style. The lady chapel, just like the refectory, is in early gothic style, and it is the only part of the cathedral made of stone.
The buildings have gone through various restoration projects in an attempt to preserve their old look and style. The most significant restoration that occurred was done in the Victorian era by the Gothic Revival architect, George Gilbert Scott. Many of the current appearances and looks of the place owe their beauty to his work, although it is not without its critics.