Peterborough Cathedral
United Kingdom
Though the site of Peterborough Cathedral was originally Roman, in the 7th century it became a monastic community though that was all but destroyed by the Great Heathen army under the splendidly named Ivar the Boneless. The current Peterborough Cathedral was built after the Norman conquest and seen of activity since then and two queens were buried here including Katherine of Aragon whose tomb we will visit as we explore this splendid old building.
Contents
11 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Peterborough Cathedral
Welcome to the majestic Peterborough Cathedral, a marvel of ecclesiastical architecture and a repository of immense historical consequence. I am delighted to be your guide on this scholarly exploration of a site that has anchored…
Listen in the app2The Norman Gate and Precinct Entrance
Our physical journey commences at the imposing threshold of the Cathedral Precincts, standing before the magnificent structure known as the Norman Gate. As you position yourself in Cathedral Square, take a moment to absorb the…
Listen in the app3The West Front and Classical Portico
Having passed through the Norman Gate, you are now greeted by one of the most breathtaking and arguably unique architectural facades in all of English cathedral architecture, the spectacular West Front of Peterborough Cathedral.…
Listen in the app4The Nave and Painted Wooden Ceiling
Crossing the threshold into the Nave, you are immediately enveloped by the awe inspiring scale of Norman Romanesque architecture. We find ourselves standing in a vast, elongated hallway characterized by a profound sense of weight…
Listen in the app5The Crossing and Central Tower
We have now moved eastward down the nave to arrive at the Crossing, the crucial architectural junction where the main hallway intersects with the north and south transepts, forming the shape of a cross. Stand precisely in the…
Listen in the app6The South Transept and Cloister Ruins
As we step into the South Transept, we encounter a space that vividly illustrates both the artistic triumphs of the Victorian era and the violent, destructive scars of the English Civil War. Let us first draw our attention to the…
Listen in the app7The Choir and High Altar
Moving further east, we arrive at the spiritual epicenter of the ancient monastery, the Choir and the High Altar. This grand eastern arm is the oldest standing section of the current cathedral, as construction naturally began…
Listen in the app8The Retrochoir and Fan Vaults
Passing behind the high altar, we step into a large, rectangular space known as the Retrochoir, or the New Building. The architectural shift here is sudden, dramatic, and breathtaking. …
Listen in the app9The Presbytery Aisles and the Royal Graves
As we navigate through the aisles surrounding the choir, we encounter the resting places of some of the most fascinating and tragic figures in British royal history, forever intertwining Peterborough Cathedral with the turbulent…
Listen in the app10The Secret Gardens of the Cathedral Precincts
Our final stop before concluding our grand tour takes us just outside the main stone walls of the church, stepping into an unexpected and enchanting oasis known as the Secret Gardens of Peterborough Cathedral. Tucked away…
Listen in the app11Closing
As we bring our comprehensive exploration of Peterborough Cathedral to a close, it is essential to pause and reflect on the staggering continuity of human endeavor that this site represents. We have journeyed through an…
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What is Peterborough Cathedral?
Peterborough Cathedral is a place in United Kingdom with 11 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 11 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 52.5725, -0.2392 |
| Last updated |
