Motivations to Go to Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral has a lengthy and storied background without a doubt. It is one of the most renowned buildings in all of England, having been immortalized in song, books, and the mind of the British people for centuries. It is no surprise that Canterbury has been an incredibly important area for a thousand years or more, and to this day it is a famous destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. History. Along with the close by St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s church, Canterbury Cathedral is a component of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore it is a wonderful destination for anybody with an appreciation for previous times, from the casual fancy of an ordinary tourist to the specific interests of the qualified historian. Canterbury has served 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 to steer this mission, St. Augustine, set up the cathedral at Canterbury in the year 602 AD and was its first archbishop. The primary structure is no more standing, having been reconstructed almost entirely early in the Norman time. The layout of the present-day cathedral generally dates to the 1077 dedication. Under the direction of Archbishop St. Anselm from 1093 to 1109, the choir area at the eastern end was significantly increased and an enormous and ornate crypt built under it. Throughout the long history of Canterbury Cathedral the church has seen baptisms, weddings, and burials of a number of England’s most well known royals, and its share of scandals and assassinations. Art. Needless to say, when one considers Cathedrals and artwork the first thing to spring to mind is the ornate stained glass windows that are so common. And despite the fact that the stained glass windows of Canterbury are exquisite and, occasionally, seven or eight hundred years old, the artistic importance the Cathedral encompasses much much more. There are complicated carvings and paintings to value and in a sense, the whole building is a a thing of beauty. The medieval constructors of these ornate types of Cathedrals were the best of the best, and they were all attempting to construct a church that would astound and surprise visitors. With the possible exemption of particular palaces owed to the most wealthy of nobles, cathedrals were the greatest and most ornate structures in the western world. Music. The current Canterbury Cathedral takes great pleasure in its musical programs. It has a professional choir of twelve members: four basses, four tenors, and four countertenors. The Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral are made of a collection of thirty boys whose ages range from eight to thirteen. The Cathedral holds all of its musicians to the highest of standards, and the audition process is quite exclusive. Concert events and activities showcasing other choral groups and orchestras are held at Canterbury Cathedral, giving a lofty atmosphere to any musical piece. Find out more information about Canterbury Cathedral