Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

72  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

Canterbury Cathedral
To match Canterbury’s growing ecclesiastical rank as a major
centre of Christianity, the first Norman arch bishop, Lanfranc,
ordered a new cathedral to be built on the ruins of the Anglo-
Saxon cathedral in 1070. It was enlarged and rebuilt many times
and as a result embraces examples of all styles of medieval
architecture. The most poignant moment in its history came
in 1170 when Thomas Becket was murdered here. Four years
after his death a fire devastated the cathedral and the Trinity
Chapel was built to house Becket’s remains. The shrine
quickly became an important religious site and
A sculpture of Jesus at Christ Church
Gate, Canterbury Cathedral until the Dissolution of the Monastaries the
cathedral was one of Christendom’s
q Canterbury chief places of pilgrimage.
Kent. Map F1. * 51,000. 3 @
n The Beaney House of Knowledge,
18 High St; 01227 862162. ( Wed &
Fri. ∑ canterbury.co.uk
Its location on the London to
Dover route meant Canterbury
was an important Roman
town even before the arrival
of St Augustine in 597, sent by
the pope to convert the Anglo-
Saxons to Christianity. The town
soon became the centre of the
Christian Church in England.
With the building of the
cathedral and the martyrdom
of Thomas Becket (see p35),
Canterbury became a religious
centre. Today, the town is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just east of St Augustine’s
Abbey is St Martin’s Church, the
oldest church in the English- Nave Main
speaking world. St Augustine At 60 m (197 ft), this extended entrance
first worshipped here, and the aisle makes Canterbury one of
church is still used as a place the longest medieval churches.
of worship. It has impressive
Norman and Saxon stonework.
A 10-minute walk west, the KEY
Canterbury Roman Museum
offers a glimpse into the city’s 1 The southwest porch
ancient past. Nearby, the Poor (1426) may have been built
Priests’ Hospital, founded in the to commemorate the victory
at Agincourt.
1100s, is now the Canterbury
Heritage Museum. Five minutes 2 Great Cloister
away stands Westgate (1380), an 3 Chapter House
imposing medieval gatehouse 4 The circular Corona Chapel
with two massive towers.
5 Trinity Chapel
E Canterbury Roman Museum 6 St Augustine’s Chair
Longmarket, Butchery Lane. Tel 01227 7 The quire (choir), completed
785575. Open 10am–5pm daily. & in 1184, is one of the longest
7 ∑ canterburymuseums.co.uk in England. . Medieval Stained Glass
E Canterbury Heritage Museum 8 The Great South Window has This depiction of the
Stour St. Tel 01227 475202. Open four stained-glass panels (1958) 1,000-year-old Methuselah
11am–5pm Wed–Sun. Closed Jan. & designed by Erwin Bossanyi. is a detail from the south-
= ∑ canterburymuseums.co.uk west transept window.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp174–5 and pp185–6

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