Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral's Gothic west front, added in the 14th century.
Winchester is the longest cathedral in England.
Nave looking east.
Romanesque triforium and ceiling in the nave.
The crypt, with modern sculpture.
Carved font.
Gravestone of Jane Austen.
Winchester Cathedral is a beautiful Anglican cathedral in the county of Hampshire, southeast England. The present structure, dating mostly from 1097, it is the longest cathedral in the country.
History
A Saxon church was built on this spot in 648 and was soon used by a Benedictine monastery which came to be named the Priory of St. Swithun. St. Swithun (d. 862) was bishop of Winchester and a tutor to young King Alfred.
Despite his importance in life, the saint humbly requested that he be buried outside upon his death, so that "passers by might tread on his grave and where the rain from the eaves might fall on it." He was initially buried in the churchyard in accordance with his wishes, in a highly prestigious position.
But when the Saxon cathedral, Old Minster, was enlarged in 971, the saint's remains were moved inside. According to legend, it then rained nonstop for 40 days. Local lore still has it that if it rains on St. Swithun's Day (July 15), 40 days of rain will follow:
St. Swithun's day, if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain;
St. Swithun's day, if thou be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain na mair.
The present church, the longest medieval cathedral in Britain, dates from 1079, and was built in the Norman (Romanesque) style. St. Swithun's remains were moved to the new church in 1093. The cathedral was at the heart of a powerful diocese that stretched from the Thames River to the Channel Islands and attracted many pilgrims who came to pray at the tombs of Swithun and other saints.
The influential and wealthy bishops of Winchester further developed and adorned their cathedral throughout the Middle Ages. The impressive west front of Winchester Cathedral was added in the 14th century, replacing an earlier Norman twin-towered facade. The renowned choir stalls date to this period as well.
Stephen Gardiner (1531-55) was the last important Roman Catholic bishop of Winchester, during the reign of Queen Mary I. He officiated at her marriage to Philip of Spain, which took place in Winchester Cathedral.
What to See
Winchester Cathedral is one of the most impressive in England. The Perpendicular-style nave with two aisles is the highlight of the building.
Also impressive are the chantries (chapels), the reredos (late-15th-century ornamental screens), and the elaborately carved choir stalls featuring flowers and plants, owls and monkeys, dragons, knights and green men.
Jane Austen is buried here; her grave is marked with a commemorative plaque. Also buried in Westminster Cathedral are the bones of many Saxon kings, the remains of the Viking conqueror Canute and his wife, Emma, and the remains of William Rufus (William II), son of William the Conqueror.
The crypt is just a few steps down from the cathedral and has a unique feature: it floods periodically. In the center of the crypt is a modern sculpture that was designed to stand in water.
The cathedral's library contains over 4,000 books, including several illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages. Especially notable are Bishop Morley's 17th-century book collection and an exhibition room contains the 12th-century Winchester Bible.
The Triforium shows sculpture, woodwork, and metalwork from 11 centuries and provides magnificent views over the rest of the cathedral.
The Close once contained the domestic buildings for the monks of the Priory of St. Swithun. Most of these buildings were destroyed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Quick Facts
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Anglican (originally Roman Catholic) |
| Status: | Active |
| Address: | The Close, Winchester, England |
| Phone: | 01962/857200 |
| Hours: | Daily 8:30am-6pm |
| Cost: | Free admission to the cathedral, but £3.50 ($6.50) donation requested. Admission to library and Triforium Gallery £1 ($1.85) adults, 50p (95¢) children |
| Tours: | Free guided tours year-round 10am-3pm hourly. |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Winchester Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our England Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Winchester Cathedral Official Site
- Eyewitness Travel Guide to Great Britain
- Frommer's England 2005
- Britannia Biographies
- Personal visit, August 2006.
More Information
- Winchester Cathedral - Official Website
- A Walk Around Winchester Cathedral - Pete Reed
- Tour the Winchester Cathedral - Britannia
- Winchester Cathedral - The Heritage Trail
- Winchester Hotels - TripAdvisor
