Inspiring
Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire - Britain’s finest 13th century cathedral.
Protected by the massive stone walls of The Close, Salisbury Cathedral (www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/) stands at the very heart of the city. Largely completed within 38 years, it is a magnificent example of the EarlyEnglish Gothic style. The awesome sight of its spire soaring a breathtaking 123 metres (404 feet) into the sky never fails to impress and is often the first view on your drive into the city.
The Chapter House at Salisbury Cathedral contains the bestpreserved original Magna Carta manuscript, dating from AD1215. Magna Carta is arguably one of the most significant documents in world history. Originally conceived as the solution to a political crisis in medieval England, its influence spread worldwide. Magna Carta’s basic principles have been adopted in the constitutions of the USA, the former USSR, Japan and Germany, as well as Commonwealth and other countries.
As well as Magna Carta and Britain’s tallest spire, Salisbury Cathedral boasts Europe’s oldest working clock (AD1386); the largest cathedral close and cloistersin Britain; a unique 13th century stone frieze of bible stories in the Chapter House and the largest and earliest complete set of quire stalls in Britain.
Other interesting Cathedral facts and figures:
60,000 tons of Chilmark stone and 10,000 tons of Purbeck stone were used in its construction; the roof was made using 28,000 tons of oak and 4 acres/420 tons of lead; the spire now leans
69.85 cm to the west.
Inspiring
Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire - Britain’s finest 13th century cathedral.
Protected by the massive stone walls of The Close, Salisbury Cathedral (www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/) stands at the very heart of the city. Largely completed within 38 years, it is a magnificent example of the EarlyEnglish Gothic style. The awesome sight of its spire soaring a breathtaking 123 metres (404 feet) into the sky never fails to impress and is often the first view on your drive into the city.
The Chapter House at Salisbury Cathedral contains the bestpreserved original Magna Carta manuscript, dating from AD1215. Magna Carta is arguably one of the most significant documents in world history. Originally conceived as the solution to a political crisis in medieval England, its influence spread worldwide. Magna Carta’s basic principles have been adopted in the constitutions of the USA, the former USSR, Japan and Germany, as well as Commonwealth and other countries.
As well as Magna Carta and Britain’s tallest spire, Salisbury Cathedral boasts Europe’s oldest working clock (AD1386); the largest cathedral close and cloistersin Britain; a unique 13th century stone frieze of bible stories in the Chapter House and the largest and earliest complete set of quire stalls in Britain.
Other interesting Cathedral facts and figures:
60,000 tons of Chilmark stone and 10,000 tons of Purbeck stone were used in its construction; the roof was made using 28,000 tons of oak and 4 acres/420 tons of lead; the spire now leans
69.85 cm to the west.