Grounds to Visit Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral has a lengthy and storied background . It is one of the most renowned architectural structures in all of England, having been immortalized in song, novels, and the mind of the British people for centuries. It is not surprising that Canterbury has been a remarkably important area for a thousand years or more, and to this day it is a famous destination for pilgrims and tourists . History. Along with the nearby St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s church, Canterbury Cathedral is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That way it is a superb getaway for anybody with an appreciation for earlier times, from the casual fancy of an ordinary tourist to the specific interests of the skilled historian. Canterbury has functioned as the seat for the Christian church in England since Pope Gregory the Great sent a mission to the Anglo-Saxon peoples. The man picked out to guide this mission, St. Augustine, set up the cathedral at Canterbury in the year 602 AD and became its first archbishop. The original building is no more standing, having been reconstructed almost completely early in the Norman era. The design and style of the present cathedral largely dates back to the 1077 dedication. Under the instruction of Archbishop St. Anselm from 1093 to 1109, the choir section at the eastern end was greatly enlarged and a large and ornate crypt built underneath it. In the course of the long history of Canterbury Cathedral the church has seen baptisms, weddings, and burials of a number of England’s most prominent royals, together with its share of scandals and assassinations. Art. Obviously, when one thinks about Cathedrals and artwork the first thing to spring to mind is the ornate stained glass windows that are so common. And though the stained glass windows of Canterbury are beautiful and, occasionally, seven or eight hundred years old, the artistic worth the Cathedral encompasses much much more. There are complex carvings and paintings to enjoy and in a sense, the whole building is a a thing of beauty. The medieval constructors of these ornate types of Cathedrals were the creme de la creme, and they were all seeking to put together a church that would astound and amaze tourists. With the possible exemption of particular palaces belonging to the wealthiest of nobles, cathedrals were the largest and most ornate structures in the western world. Music. The contemporary Canterbury Cathedral takes great pride in its musical programs. It hosts a professional choir of twelve members: four basses, four tenors, and four countertenors. The Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral comprise of a team of thirty boys whose ages range from eight to thirteen. The Cathedral maintains all of its musicians to the highest of standards, and the audition process is quite distinctive. Concerts and occasions showcasing other choral groups and orchestras are also held at Canterbury Cathedral, offering a lofty atmosphere to any musical piece. Learn more info about Canterbury Cathedral