 Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. The cathedral's first archbishop was St. Augustine of Canterbury, previously abbot of St. Andrew's Benedictine Abbey in Rome. He was sent by Pope Gregory the Great in 597 A.D. as a missionary to the Anglo-Saxons. The mission was a success: in 597 A.D., Augustine baptized King Ethelbert of Kent. In 602 A.D., Augustine dedicated a cathedral church on this site to Christ the Savior. A monastery was also established in connection with the cathedral.
In 1011, Canterbury was among the many English towns devastated by marauding Danes. The city was destroyed and the the cathedral was set on fire. In 1093, St. Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury. It is to him, along with the priors Ernulf and Conrad, that we owe much of the Romanesque architecture and art that survives today. It ceased to be an abbey during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII when all religious houses were suppressed. Today, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sitem, which includes St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin Church, both also in the city of Canterbury.
About Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral Website
World Heritage Site Page: Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey, and St. Martin's Church
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: Canterbury
Sacred Destinations: Canterbury Cathedral
Wikipedia: Canterbury Cathedral
Wikipedia: St. Augustine of Canterbury
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Augustine of Canterbury
Wikipedia: Thomas Beckett
Wikipedia: List of Archbishops of Canterbury
Journey to Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral is located at the center of the historic city of Canterbury in Kent in Southeast England.
Ordnance Survey Map (TR1499057969)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for Canterbury Cathedral may be found at the Canterbury Cathedral website. General tourism information for Canterbury may be found at the Visit Canterbury website. General tourism information for Kent may be found at the Visit Kent website.
Additional Photos of Canterbury Cathedral
Entrance from the City to Canterbury Cathedral Grounds
Close-Up of the City Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral Grounds
Ruins of the Monastic Buildings in Canterbury Cathedral Grounds
The Great Cloister in the Canterbury Cathedral Grounds
Main Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral
Statue of King Ethelbert Above Main Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral
Statue of Queen Bertha Above Main Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral
Interior of Canterbury Cathedral
Ceiling in Canterbury Cathedral
Ceiling in Canterbury Cathedral
List of Archbishops of Canterbury Cathedral
Statues of Pope Gregory and St. Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral
Adam Delving, the Oldest (ca.1174) Stained-Glass in Canterbury Cathedral
St. Anselm Stained-Glass Window in Canterbury Cathedral
Shrine to the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral
Burning Candle at Original Shrine to St. Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral
Stairs Worn Down by Pilgrim Feet and Knees in Canterbury Cathedral
Stained-Glass Window of St. Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral
Compass Rose, Symbol of Worldwide Anglican Communion, in Canterbury Cathedral
The Two Western Towers of Canterbury Cathedral
The Bell Harry Tower of 1498, Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
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