Sunday, June 23, 2013

Salisbury Cathedral


Salisbury Cathedral in England

Above:  A 360-degree panoramic view of the southwest exterior of Salisbury Cathedral, in Wiltshire, England, one of the greatest Anglican cathedrals in the United Kingdom. Built from 1220 to 1258, its Chapter House contains one of the original copies of the Magna Carta.  Photo Credit: Randy Myers, from the 360 Cities website

For an online gallery of photos and a 360-Degree virtual tour of the cathedral's interior, please see the official home page of Salisbury Cathedral.  One may find an overhead map of the cathedral grounds at Wikimapia here.

Formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salisbury Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Salisbury, and seat of the Bishop of Salisbury.  It is considered one of the greatest examples of Early English Gothic architecture.

The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom (404 ft), according to the Wikipedia article on Salisbury Cathedral here.  "Visitors can take the 'Tower Tour' where the interior of the hollow spire, with its ancient wood scaffolding, can be viewed. The cathedral also has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close in Britain (80 acres). The cathedral contains the world's oldest working clock (from AD 1386) and has the best surviving of the four original copies of the Magna Carta (all four original copies are in England)."


Above: The Salisbury Cathedral plan.  Source: Wikipedia