Saints and Stones: St. Rules Church and Tower
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At 108 feet, St Rule's tower is located in the St. Andrews Cathedral grounds but predates it, having served as the church of the priory up to the early 12th Century. The building was retained to allow worship to continue uninterrupted during the building of its much larger successor.

Originally, the tower and adjoining choir were part of the church built in the 11th Century to house the relics of St. Andrew. The nave, with twin western turrets, and the apse of the church no longer stand. Legend credits St Rule (also known as St Regulus) with bringing relics of St. Andrew to the area from their original location at Patras in Greece.

Beautifully built in grey sandstone ashlar, and (for its date) immensely tall, it is a land- and sea-mark seen from many miles away, its prominence doubtless meant to guide pilgrims to the place of the Apostle's relics. In the Middle Ages a spire atop the tower made it even more prominent. The tower was originally ascended using ladders between wooden floors, but a stone spiral staircase was inserted in the 18th century.

About St. Rules Church and Tower

Wikipedia: St. Rule's Tower
Wikipedia: Saint Regulus (Saint Rules)
Undiscovered Scotland: St. Andrews Cathedral
Sacred Destinations: St. Andrew's Cathedral

Journey to St. Rules Church and Tower

The remains of St. Rules Church and Tower are located amidst the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral at the eastern end of the town of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

Ordnance Survey Map (NO5132216673)

Visitors Information

Visitors information for St. Rules Church and Tower may be found at the Historic Scotland St. Andrews Cathedral website. General tourist information may be found at the Fife website.

Additional Photos of St. Rules Church and Tower

St. Rules Church and Tower
St. Rules Church and Tower
Close-Up of St. Rules Tower
Looking at St. Rules Church and Tower Through the Precinct Wall

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