Durham has changed a lot since the middle of the 20th century, when the surrounding coal mines gave this university town a gloomy working-class feel. Now all the mines are closed, and the city is prettier. The medieval part of Durham is located on a narrow peninsula with its tip pointing south. The Weir River makes a loop here, and at its narrowest point, only about 200 m of land are separated by bends in the channel. If not for this isthmus, Durham would have ended up on the island. Walking through the city center will not take long, but the walk will be interesting. You can set aside two hours for it, but in order to properly examine the cathedral and the castle, it will take more time.
The best place to start your tour of Durham is from Market Place (market square), turned into a pedestrian zone. There is a monument in 1861 to Charles William van Stewart, the third Marquis of Londonderry, head of the judiciary and executive branch of County Durham.
Silver Street will take you to the 14th century Framwellgate Bridge, which offers wonderful views of the castle walls and the twin towers of the cathedral.
Along the river
Going down from the bridge and turning left, you will find yourself on a path that runs along the river bank. Soon you will reach a low dam (favorite spot for kayakers) near the factory of Jesus, built in the 18th century on the foundations of a medieval building. The proceeds from this former cloth factory were used to build the altar of the cathedral - hence the name. It now houses the fine Archaeological Museum of Durham University.
On the other side of the Weir River, which you can reach by crossing it along the Prebend Bridge with three graceful arches, built in 1776 on the site of a flood wooden bridge, the path turns right and follows the bends of the river that form a peninsula here. There is an original example of modern wooden sculpture next to the bridge.
A little further along the bank, among the trees, there is a small structure made of stone, which looks like a gazebo. Its entrance is decorated with fluted columns. On this place stood the house where one of the most famous citizens of Durham lived - the Polish emigrant Count Boruwlaski. He settled here in early XIX v. and died in 1837 at the age of 97. He was tiny in height, only 98 cm, and, according to fellow citizens, was distinguished by intelligence and generosity.
Further, the path passes under the modern King's Gate Bridge, next to which are the educational buildings of Durham University. Soon ahead you will see pointed arches built in the 12th century. Elvetsky bridge. Behind it is the Brown's Boathouse, where boats can be rented in summer.
To the castle
Just before the bridge, the narrow steps of Drury Lane Vennell lead to the left, through the arch, to the promontory at North Bailey. Owengate Street, on the left, is cobbled and leads towards Palace Green, surrounded by 17th century buildings. Durham Cathedral is in front, and the castle is on the right.
In Durham Castle, construction of which began in 1072, fragments of an old building have survived, in particular a Tudor chapel with beautiful choir seating and a 15th-century kitchen. Most of the castle was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 18th century. for the Durham bishops who lived there until 1836, when the castle was transferred to the university founded in 1832 by Bishop Van Milbert.
After exploring the Cathedral and Treasury, exit onto South Bailey. The winding street takes you to the University Colleges of St John, St Chad and St Cuthbert's Society. Further, the road passes under the Watergate Arch in 1778, before the Prebend Bridge turns to the right and follows east coast Weira past Jesus Factory and then returns to Framwellgate Bridge, Silver Street and Market Square.
Durham Cathedral is considered an architectural masterpiece. Installed on top of a steep forested peninsula overhanging the city, the cathedral has helped for a century local residents protect Durham from enemies.
Durham Castle, located next to the cathedral, developed over a century from an old fortress, and now has become part of Durham University. In the XII century, the peninsula was fortified by defensive walls, some of which have survived to this day. Durham was not only a fortified point, but also a place of pilgrimage.
Durham Cathedral owes its existence to St. Cuthbert, who died in 687 and was first buried on Lindisfarne Island on the Northumberland coast. To protect his remains from Viking raids, the monks carried them from place to place and, finally, brought them in 995 to Durham, a city where the bishop's chair was then transferred.
In 998, the monks built a stone "white church" for the relics of the saint, which does not exist now. In 1022, the church acquired the relics of the Venerable Bede, who died in 735 and was buried in Yarrow. The uncovering of the relics of these two saints was the impetus for the construction of a cathedral for pilgrims in Durham.
Following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the clergy of Durham was reformed. Now the city has become an important center of the Christian church in Northern England... The construction of the cathedral began in 1093 and was completed in 1133. This cathedral became the pinnacle of medieval architecture and at the same time witnessed the beginning of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic.
Since the cathedral was built in a short time, in just 40 years, its architecture is homogeneous. But the nearby castle was rebuilt over 900 years. The castle was built by order of William the Conqueror (ruled 1066-1087).
The modern appearance of the castle has retained the features of the original, Norman appearance. It is built according to the typical Norman architecture, with a steep earthen rampart, on top of which are defensive structures in the east, and a large courtyard around the rampart, protected by an outer wall, in the west. Waltkoff, Earl of Northumberland, began construction of the castle in 1072 at the behest of William the Conqueror himself. After that, Wilhelm handed over the management of the castle into the hands of Bishop Walcher Lawrence whom. Under the subsequent bishops of Durham, the castle continued to be rebuilt for 750 years.
The lock had a double function. He defended Durham from constant attacks from the Scots from the north and at the same time served administrative center and the official seat of bishops. After the 17th century, the castle lost its significance as a fortress and began to serve only as an episcopal residence. In the 19th century, the castle became part of the university.
The architecture of the castle reflects the numerous changes and additions carried out over the course of the century. Fragments of the Romanesque period have been preserved in the northern wing. The oldest part of the castle accessible to visitors is the Norman chapel, built in the Saxon style in 1078.
Unlike other European cathedrals, Durham Cathedral looks almost the same today as it did after completion in 1133. During the construction, a number of important technical innovations were applied that had a huge impact on Gothic architecture throughout Europe.
The cathedral was built in a Romanesque village, which prevailed throughout Western Europe between 1050 and 1200. As its name suggests, the Romanesque style was influenced by Roman architecture and incorporated such features as rounded arches, large columns, small windows and simple carved decorations.
The cathedral was planned by Bishop Kerilef. Constructed of sandstone, it consists of a large nave with lateral, eight-beamed wings and a ribbed vault. The structure of the ribbed vault allowed large sections of it to bend, and this pattern contributed to the development of the Gothic style, in which such ribs help emphasize the upwardly directed interior of the temple. The height of the vault is about three floors, but its proportions were unusual for that time, since the main arcade is almost equal in height to the gallery and the upper row of windows illuminating the choir. This feature draws the attention of visitors to the arcades and helps to create the illusion of a large space.
In addition to the innovative design of the ribbed vault, there are other innovations in the design of the cathedral. The tomb of the Venerable Bede, covered with a black marble slab, is located in the Galilee Chapel, built at the western end of the cathedral between 1170 and 1175. At the eastern end of the cathedral is the Chapel of the Nine Altars, a large, flat, protruding apse built in the 13th century that makes space for pilgrims to access the relics of St. Cuthbert. The transept at the east end is not found in any other English church with the exception of Fontaine Abbey in Yorkshire.
The light dome in the center was rebuilt in the 15th century after being destroyed by a storm. Its position is unusual and complements the two western towers. A large window in the north wall with a double lattice lattice is considered the best example of temple Gothic.
sights
1. Durham Castle. Built in the 11th century, the castle was rebuilt several times during its 900-year history.
2. Palace Green - until the 12th century it was the center of Durham, where the old market was located.
3. Cathedral.
Built between 1093 and 1133, this cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture. The original plan of the cathedral has remained practically unchanged, and one of its main attractions is the spacious nave with a vaulted ceiling.
4. North and South courtyards. Built for defense purposes, the courtyards were designed as a street, sheltered in the eastern part of the castle by fortress walls.
5. Bridge Prebends. Built in 1777, this bridge overlooks the River Weir and the tops of the cathedral's western towers.
6. Castle keep- a large octagonal tower set on a terraced hill on the east side of the courtyard. It was used as an episcopal palace, and in 1840 it was radically reconstructed. It is now part of the University of Durham.
7. Galilee Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Virgin, was once the only part of the cathedral where women were allowed to enter. It was built in 1189. By the 15th century, the chapel was in ruins and was restored in the original Romanesque style. The grave of the Venerable Bede is located in a one-story hall with five side chapels.
8. Tomb of St. Cuthbert... The sanctuary of the saint is located in the chapel of the Nine Altars. A tomb, a cross and several embroidered epitracheles can be seen in the Cathedral's Treasure Museum.
9. Chapel of the Nine Altars installed on a terrace below the floor of the cathedral. The chapel features two magnificent stained glass windows, a vaulted plinth, high lanceolate arches and an upper row of skylights.
10. The monastery. Founded in 1083, the monastery served as a workshop for Benedictine monks for over 450 years until it was closed and dissolved in 1540.
Curious facts
1.C early period Christianity, Saint Cuthbert was one of the most respected Christian missionaries who converted people to their faith, and was canonized as a saint. As a child he was a shepherd, but after a vision that appeared to him, he entered a Celtic monastery, where he became famous for his piety and scholarship. At first resisting the Roman tradition of monasticism, Saint Cuthbert adopted Roman Catholic teachings when he was appointed abbot of the monastery in Lindisfarne.
Saint Cuthbert was forced to accept the post of Bishop of Lindisfarne, offered to him in 685, and fulfilled his duties with dignity. Two years later, he left this post and died soon after. The body of the saint, according to his last will, was buried in Lindisfarne and remained there until the relics were transferred to Durham Cathedral.
2. The Cathedral in Durham was built in the late 11th - early 12th centuries. It contains the relics of St. Cuthbert and the famous learned monk Bede the Venerable. The cathedral is a fine example of Norman architecture in England. The innovative design of its vaults anticipates the later Gothic. The castle - an old Norman fortress - was the seat of the bishops of Durham.
Durham Cathedral, located on east coast England is one of the most large buildings Europe in the Romanesque style. The cathedral is located next to the castle and medieval town on a rocky cliff, surrounded on three sides by a river. The whole complex is an interesting landmark of Great Britain and a UNESCO-listed site World heritage... Today, Durham Cathedral is a thousand-year-old Christian Anglican Church, seat of the Bishop of Durham, and a center of pilgrimage and spirituality in North East England.
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Durham Cathedral, construction of which began shortly after the Norman conquest of England in 1093 and was largely completed in 1133, was built as the cathedral church of a Benedictine monastery to house the relics of St. Cuthbert, in place of the earlier church that had kept them from the seventh century CE. ...
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Architectural significance Durham Cathedral is that it is the oldest surviving Romanesque building with a stone vaulted ceiling of this large size. Today the cathedral, perhaps, does not seem so outstanding, but from the point of view of the development of architecture and construction technology, it represents a significant step forward and the transition of European architecture to a new style - Gothic. Here, for the first time in England, the roof of the cathedral was made of stone, and not wooden as it was before.
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Vault of the central tower
Durham Cathedral is also valuable in that its Norman architecture has remained largely
intact. Most of the other Norman buildings in Great Britain have undergone significant changes, often beyond recognition. Also, it is recognized as an example of Romanesque architecture, and one of the largest cathedrals in the world.
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To this day, the scale of medieval cathedrals amazes visitors. The creation of monumental cathedrals in the Middle Ages was a reflection of sincere faith and a way of expressing creative energy for a large section of medieval European society.
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Although the construction of the building of the cathedral took place under the leadership of religious leaders or institutions, it required the efforts of the entire community. Since the mid-twelfth century, the church began to provide absolution for those involved in building a church or cathedral, so instead of going on the crusades (a popular means of atonement for sins at the end of the eleventh century), people devoted efforts to building churches.
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There has always been a part of society in society who disapproved of the excessive construction costs and lush decoration of religious buildings, but they were always in the minority, and the dominant desire was to stand out, to build the most magnificent building, reflecting the greatness of God.
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Since the construction of the cathedral took decades, and often even centuries, the people who participated in its creation did not expect to see them completed during their lives.
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Participation in the construction of the cathedral required a sacrificial willingness to be part of a process that was longer than a human life. The construction was financed by the council of the senior clergy of the cathedral, while the bishops participated in it only of their own free will. In Durham, however, the bishops' contributions, both intellectual and financial, were substantial. The council of the cathedral raised money from their parishes and organized tours of the country of the religious site to raise funds for the construction of the cathedral.
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People of various specialties, qualifications and skills were employed in the construction. At the lower end of the scale were laborers. Their main work was the transportation of building materials and earthworks such as digging a foundation pit. Contrary to the general belief that most of this work was done by volunteers for free, there are documents proving that most of the laborers were paid.
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Workers of higher qualifications who participated in the work had the specialty of masons, plasterers, masons, stone carvers. Practical considerations guided the workflow. For example, since transport was very expensive, the stones were fully prepared for installation in the quarry. Although the making of the stone blocks continued throughout the year, the builders did not actually lay the stone in the winter when the frost prevented the mortar from binding the stones.
« Stonecutters at Work "in the painting by Pieter Bruegel
Stone cutters often led an itinerant lifestyle, moving from one construction site to another. They were paid by the day or by the amount of work they did. Those doing piecework carved their marks on each stone they cut, this made it possible to calculate the amount of payment for labor. Over time, such marks became a sign of professional pride and acquired a more beautiful and elaborate look. They can still be seen on some of the stones in Durham Cathedral.
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In early Romanesque buildings, murals were the most common means of interior decoration, and stone carvings were rarely used. However, as the skill of the stone carvers increased greatly over time, sculpture became an important part of the design of later buildings. Sculptors became more independent and saw themselves as artists rather than skilled craftsmen.
Also, as architecture and building technology developed further, large glass windows became possible, letting in daylight into the interior of the cathedral. Stained glass, which has become one of the most important decorative features of religious buildings, has replaced frescoes as a means of depicting religious scenes.
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Establishment of Durham Cathedral
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Almost everything we know about the creation of the cathedral is gleaned from the records of Simeon, a monk in Durham monastery, entitled "A Little Book on the Origin and Construction of the Church of Durham."
According to Simeon's records, Bishop William of St. Calais ordered a new cathedral "nobler and greater" to be erected to replace the Anglo-Saxon cathedral, built a century earlier by Bishop Oldhoon. An example to follow was the Norman cathedral in the city of Canet. They began to dig a foundation pit after reading prayers on July 29, 1093, and to erect the walls just two weeks later - on August 11 of the same year.
Durham Cathedral was built as a church for the monastery of the Benedictine Order. Simeon also mentions that while the monks paid for the buildings of the monastery, the cathedral itself was financed by the bishop, who personally took part in the design of the building.
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William St. Calais's goal was to create a cathedral that would overshadow his English contemporaries and be one of the great cathedrals of Christendom.
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One of the most important examples for a new cathedral during Norman times was the old St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. NS. Accordingly, the original length of Durham Cathedral, from the chapel with the relics of St. Cuthbert in the apse at the east end of the building to the main entrance at the west end, is only 70 cm longer than the old Roman cathedral; its nave is almost the same width, and the spiral columns are exactly the same as those to be found on the canopy around the Shrine of St. Peter.
Left: One of the "Solomon" columns used in the old St. Peter's Cathedral, a source of inspiration for religious buildings throughout Christendom.
Right: One of the columns in St. Cuthbert's Chapel in Durham Cathedral.
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In the design of the new cathedral, William St. Calais followed a tradition that had developed in earlier cathedrals in Norman England, also built to house religious shrines. A comparison of Durham and Winchester cathedrals reveals many similarities, it is highly probable that both buildings were the work of the same chief mason (author and construction manager). Based on an analysis of his architectural style, which follows more English than French tradition, it is assumed that he was of English origin.
Romanesque semicircular arches
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Some researchers suggest that the intersecting arches along the aisles in Durham Cathedral are inspired by the architecture of Islamic Spain.
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William St. Calais died in 1096, just three years after work on the Norman cathedral began. Ranulf Flambard became the next bishop. Flambard was bishop until his death in 1128. By then, the construction of the cathedral was drawing to a close and was completed in 1133, just five years later.
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The importance of the cathedral in the development of architecture
Durham Cathedral marks an important milestone in the development of architecture thanks to many innovations that have revolutionized the appearance of church buildings throughout Europe.
1. The oldest surviving cross arches of this magnitude in the world.
The vault of the cathedral's nave is the most significant architectural element of the Durham World Heritage Site, It represents a turning point in the history of architecture. This was the first time a pointed arch was used as a structural element in this building.
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Semicircular arches were the type used in the past and had one major limitation: their height had to be proportional to their width. When pointed arches were replaced by semicircular arches, it became possible to achieve greater height and width.
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Before Durham Cathedral, buildings were covered with wooden roofs that were not organically connected to the stone walls, in addition, they burned too well.
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2. For the first time in architecture, ribs were used to form pointed arches and support the vault of the cathedral. This early stage in the birth of a new style - Gothic, is called the lanceolate vault. It is characterized by simple vaults divided by ribs into four parts in the form of lancets. ...
Pointed arches provide an opportunity to overcome the limitations created by the simple geometry of semicircular arches, allowing arches of different widths to have the same height.
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Stone ribs provide additional support to the vault at critical points, thereby reducing the thickness of the walls and, therefore, their weight. The ribs also help distribute the weight of the vault between the walls.
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Ribs also have aesthetic value, becoming the object of the viewer's attention, giving lightness and grace to the vault.
Semicircular vault
Cross vault
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These two sketches show the difference between semicircular and ribbed cross vaults. The shaded areas of the vault are key structural elements, while the shaded areas are not load bearing. The combination of pointed arches and ribs allows greater heights to be achieved than using semi-circular arches of about the same size.
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The height was very important because one of the goals of the builders of the cathedral was to build a monumental building that would reflect the greatness and power of the god. Stone ribs have become extremely important structural elements. They allowed cathedrals to fly high into the sky. The introduction of pointed arches gave rise to a new architectural style - Gothic, flourishing between the 12th and 16th centuries.
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3. Ribs have become one of the main supporting structural elements vault. The walls were freed from the need to support the full weight of the roof, and as a result, it became possible to create large windows. Since that time, cathedrals have evolved from dark, heavy buildings with small windows to light, spacious buildings, where the area of the windows exceeds the area of the walls.
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4. The sheer weight of the building and the lateral stress of the arches and vaults were the builders' biggest challenges. If the walls were not massive enough, or hard enough, they could collapse. This problem was solved by creating flying buttresses. The predecessors of flying buttresses also exist in Durham Cathedral, although they are not very noticeable.
Towers
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The towers of the cathedral were especially important in Durham, where the cathedral is located on a low plot of land surrounded on three sides by a river. The high opposite bank almost hides the building of the cathedral, which means that the pilgrims do not have a guide to the relic. Usually cathedrals were built on high hills so that they could be seen from a great distance. For this purpose, three towers with spiers were erected over the cathedral, the central one and two western ones. The spiers were removed in 1658.
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Western towers
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The central tower of the Cathedral has the most eventful history. It was erected at the end of the 13th century, but was soon struck by lightning. The tower was restored thirty years later in 1429.
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Thirty years later, lightning struck the tower again and destroyed it. The new tower was built between 1465 and 1474. A second tier was added ten years later. In this form, the tower has survived to this day.
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Chapel of the Nine Altars
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Despite the size of the cathedral, the place where the relics of St. Cuthbert were located was constantly crowded with pilgrims. Therefore, at the end of the 13th century, it was decided to expand the space of the cathedral and build a chapel with nine altars next to the shrine. The idea for the building was taken from a similar extension made in 1247 for Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire. Due to the complex topography of the river bank, it was difficult to lengthen the building, but it was possible to supplement the main building with a wide extension.
Chapel of the Nine Altars
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In the two hundred years that have passed after the construction of the cathedral, the Gothic style has become the main one for church building. The new chapel was built taking into account all the achievements of building technology of that time. The Gothic Chapel of the Nine Altars differs markedly in style from the old cathedral building. Tall graceful pointed arches reign in it, thin columns support a high vault, huge stained-glass windows fill the space with multi-colored glare.
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Source www.studing.od.ua - architectural attractions of the cathedral in the city of Durham
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A bit of history
The history of the city began with the fact that the fear of the raids of the formidable Vikings forced the monks who lived on the island of Lindisfarne to seek a safe haven for the relics of St. Cuthbert, their patron. The sign told them a place at the bend of the river, and it was in 995. At the beginning of the 11th century, a church was built, followed by a fortress. Durham became an episcopal residence with extensive land holdings.
In 1093, construction began on a huge new cathedral in Durham, following the Norman model. The temple was dedicated to Saint Cuthbert, and was to become a repository of his relics. In order to speed up the construction, the creators of the cathedral had to go on extremely daring experiments for that time. As a result, the cathedral anticipated the Gothic style in architecture - it turned out to be much lighter and lighter than Romanesque temples, but, at the same time, it had typical Romanesque features. In 1680 the cathedral received a unique altar canopy, similar to which there are only four in England.
In the Middle Ages, the cathedral was one of the largest centers of pilgrimage, and in the 20th century served as the prototype for the visual image of Hogwarts Castle in the movies about Harry Potter.
Popular hotels in Durham
Durham entertainment and attractions
Under William the Conqueror, Durham Castle was founded, which later became the seat of the bishop, and even later, in 1837, became the property of the university. The University of Durham is the third oldest university in Britain and one of the world's recognized research and excellence centers. The course of study taken here is a solid foundation for your future career.
In 1960, at the university, at the expense of the multimillionaire Galust Gulbenkian, the Museum of Far Eastern Art and Archeology was opened. Very quickly, the remarkable collection of the museum, rich in unique exhibits, gained worldwide fame. The museum, like the university observatory, is accessible to tourists.
Durham Cathedral and Castle were included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1986, and it is noted that they are very well-preserved monuments of Romanesque architecture.
Interestingly, one of the twin cities of Durham is the Russian city of Kostroma.
Fragments of the fortress wall, inside which the city was located, have survived to this day. The narrow, straight streets of its center are typical of medieval England. The further from the episcopal residence, the more modest the houses of the townspeople look, for the most part they were built in the 18th century.
2 things to do in Durham
- Wander deep into the city walls and find yourself in the 18th century!
- Go to a regatta. The main thing is to hold on tight and not fall into the water yourself!
The market square is decorated with the Church of St. Nicholas, which is an example of Victorian Gothic. This temple is so large and magnificent that it is very difficult to tear yourself away from inspecting it. There are many churches in the city, their ages and architecture are varied, which makes Durham even more attractive.
The city is also decorated with numerous bridges over the River Wear, which is of great importance for the economy of Durham. In addition, regattas are constantly held on the river, which usually turn into a bright, colorful celebration that attracts many spectators and fans. Among musical events, the annual festival of brass instruments, which lasts two weeks and attracts the attention of lovers of wind music, is of interest both for amateurs and professionals.
Durham - old City in the north-east of England, on the banks of the River Wear, famous for its cathedral and castle.
Archaeologists testify that the first people lived on the hills where the city is now located 4000 years ago. The city was founded in 995. Several monks from Lindisfarne Abbey, accompanying the coffin with the body of St. Cuthbert, founded a church on this place, where the remains of the saint were laid to rest. According to legend, Saint Cuthbert appeared to one of the monks and indicated the site for the construction of the cathedral.
Throughout its existence, Durham was of great importance as a religious center and place of pilgrimage. Buried in Durham Cathedral are some of England's most revered saints, St Cuthbert and Bede the Venerable. Geographic location Durham made it an important strategic point in the defense of England against the Scots. Thus, Durham acquires more and more political significance, and in 1075 the Bishop of Durham receives the title of Prince-Bishop, which gives him not only religious, but also secular power over the county, and almost unlimited. The prince-bishop had the right to his own army, his own parliament, and even to mint his own coins. The rights of the princes-bishops were somewhat limited only during the reign of Henry VIII, and were completely abolished only in 1971.
Durham Castle, built in the 11th century, served as the seat of the bishops. He also played an important role in the defense of England against Scotland. Durham Cathedral, through which the city gained fame and influence, was founded in its current form in 1093 and is a fine example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
The entire center of Durham is protected by the state as historical monument... There are many old houses here, each with its own history. Protected sites also include bridges over the River Wear, including the 12th century Elvit Bridge, the 18th century Prebends and the 20th century Kingsgate Bridge.
The Railway Museum, the Oriental Museum, the Archaeological Museum and the Botanical at the University are waiting for tourists. Crook Hall's gardens are beautiful at any time of the year, and in summer you can relax on the Palace Green, a lawn in the heart of Durham, nestled between the castle, the cathedral and the university.
