What architectural style is Ely Cathedral?
Gothic architecture
Romanesque architectureEnglish Gothic architectureNorman architecture
Ely Cathedral/Architectural styles
Is Ely Cathedral the biggest?
How big is the cathedral? Ely Cathedral may not be the biggest cathedral in England, but when you compare it to the size of the town it is significant. The cathedral is 66 metres tall and 164 meters long. It is longer than some of England’s biggest cathedrals, including St Paul’s, Salisbury and Canterbury.
What’s special about Ely Cathedral?
Its most notable feature is the central octagonal tower, with lantern above, which provides a unique internal space and, along with the West Tower, dominates the surrounding landscape.
How many steps Ely Cathedral?
There are 288 steps up to the top of the West Tower where there are wonderful views of the city of Ely. Visiting Ely Cathedral is one of the top things to do in Cambridgeshire. Around 250,000 people visit the cathedral each year.
Why is Ely called Ely?
The “Isle of Ely” is so called because it was only accessible by boat until the waterlogged Fens were drained in the 17th century. Still susceptible to flooding today, it was these watery surrounds that gave Ely its original name the ‘Isle of Eels’, a translation of the Anglo Saxon word ‘Eilig’.
What are the foundations of Ely Cathedral?
Engineering Timelines – Ely Cathedral. The Cathedral of the Holy and Undivided Trinity at Ely is built on a Benedictine foundation and includes Norman (Late Romanesque), Early Gothic and Decorated Gothic architecture. It features a unique octagonal tower and lantern.
How long did it take to build Ely Cathedral?
Ely Cathedral was built in 1109 but much happened before, and has happened since, on the site where it now stands. The building is 900 years old but took 300 years to fully construct and has seen sections collapse, defaced and replaced.
Was Ely once an island?
The Isle of Ely is the highest point in these fenlands and was formerly an island surrounded by marshes and swamps; it could be reached only by boat or causeway. This inaccessible location became the scene of Hereward the Wake’s resistance to William I the Conqueror about 1070.
Why does Cambridge not have a cathedral?
Cambridge was granted its city charter in 1951 in recognition of its history, administrative importance and economic success. Cambridge does not have a cathedral, traditionally a prerequisite for city status, instead falling within the Church of England Diocese of Ely.
What is the exact location of Ely Cathedral?
/ 52.398611°N 0.264167°E / 52.398611; 0.264167 Ely Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is an Anglican cathedral in the city of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. The cathedral has its origins in AD 672 when St Etheldreda built an abbey church.
What was the original name of the Church of Ely?
Until the Reformation it was the Church of St Etheldreda and St Peter, at which point it was refounded as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely, continuing as the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon.
Why is Ely Cathedral lopsided?
Started by the Normans, the current Ely Cathedral is one of finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Britain. The front view of Ely Cathedral is a bit lopsided because the northwest transept of the building collapsed in the 1300s and was never rebuilt.
What is the octagon tower in Ely Cathedral?
One of the most stunning features of Ely Cathedral is the Octagon Tower. Recognized as an engineering masterpiece of the medieval world, the Octagon Tower, also known as the Lantern, weighs almost 200 tons with stained glass panels that tower almost 40 feet above the Nave floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vktMCKXhtSU