Canterbury Cathedral
Kent,
England
England Pictures | Canterbury City | Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral, main entry on the left through the South West Porch.
Canterbury became the hub of England's Christianity due to St Augustine's conversion of King Aethelbert there in 597 AD, followed by his appointment as Archbishop and the construction of the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, a World Heritage Site.
Augustine founded the cathedral in 602 BC and dedicated it to St. Saviour. Archaeologists have found the remains of a Saxon cathedral built across a Roman road under the nave floor.
The Nave looking towards the Quire (in other words, that distant point is not the end of the cathedral!).
Entering the Quire (the foremost part of the cathedral) from the main Nave area. Many of the cathedral's main sights are located in or off the Quire, such as the memorial to Thomas Becket below.
The exact site of the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 AD (on the 'suggestion' of King Henry II). The Archbishop of Canterbury is the leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican sect.
The tomb of Archbishop Chichele in the Quire.
12th century stained glass, including a famous impression of Adam digging Eden (centre, West Window in the Nave).
1950's glass done in Disney style by a Hungarian refugee (South East Transept).
The Hales Memorial, 1592.
This depicts Dame Alice Hales praying below a memorial to her husband Sir James, who was buried at sea.
The 15thC Great Cloister, with 13thC stonework and some recently carved gargoyles. Canterbury City Pictures.
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