At the current level of science, this is strange, but it is still unknown how much the Southwark Cathedral is actually years old. Opinions differ: someone considers the moment of its foundation the 7th century, someone 9th century, and someone argues with both, and with others. The reason is simple: the cathedral is so old that there is no data.

The history of creation

So, opinions differ: according to one data, the cathedral was founded as a part of the nunnery in 606 g . - soon after the baptism of England, on the other - in the 9th century as a monastery, but there is no evidence the one on the other side . This is due to the fact that the building of those times did not survive, but to demolish the cathedral in order to conduct excavations under it, no one will give . However, outside the cathedral excavations were still conducted - as far as possible, without damaging the building, and around the cathedral was still the Roman pavement, and on it - the Anglo-Saxon foundation . @ But was there already on this foundation the cathedral or something else stood - no one knows .

The first accurate and official mention of the cathedral refers to the Domesday Book, the first official census in Britain , compiled in 1086 immediately after the country's capture of the Normans - William the Conqueror wanted to know what he had actually captured.

The church was long run by the canons (some parts of the building of that era survived, including one stained-glass window), until in the 12th century around it did not create an Augustinian monastery under the administration of episk the Winchester feast, which had existed successfully before the Reformation. At that time, the bulk of the building that we see now was built.

During the Reformation, King Henry VIII - the one who had the bad habit of executing his wives - closed the monasteries after the conflict with the church and confiscated their property in favor of the crown , that is, at the time - myself. The abbey and cathedral in 1540, too, went into the ownership of the crown, the monastery was closed, and the church soon made a parish. It worked this way until 1905, when the cathedral was made of it, what it is today.

Building

The building that we can see now was built between 1220 and 1420. (so long and globally, because in the interval the cathedral burned twice) - and this is the first Gothic church in London. It was later rebuilt inside, but it was not changed much from the outside. The oldest part is the bottom, the superstructures at the top are newer - the 15th century. Some of the windows were made in the 19th century, some in different years much earlier, and the oldest dates back to the 12th century.

If you cross the cathedral across and through the courtyard, you can see the Roman pavement and the Anglo-Saxon foundation.

Uniqueness of the situation

If you look at the map of London, it turns out that the Southwark Cathedral is almost opposite the Tower - only on the other side of the river . @ And this is important - how prosperous the City was, so poor and criminal was the area opposite it on the other side of the Thames . The right bank of the Thames for many centuries was considered the worst place in the country, and the situation changed only 80 years ago . Therefore from 15 to the 19th century the cathedral was the church of Rykhod for a very motley mix of people: in its parish zone there were simultaneously the Tower with the court and the royal family and the port area on the right bank of the river with foreign sailors, beggars, tramps and actors .

Shakespeare

Actors is a separate interesting moment. In that era, acting was considered an unclean occupation, so it was not allowed to build theaters inside city walls (London - that is then still City - was at that time surrounded by city walls), and actors were forbidden to live within the walls. Therefore, behind the river, not far from the cathedral, there were three theaters, including Shakespeare's Globus Theater - not far from the public, but not inside the walls.

Several playwrights and actors are buried here, as well as several scientists - the cathedral for many centuries was the center of education. There have been all English monarchs over the last thousand years, many English writers and actors.

Practical information

Tourists do not go there often, but in vain: this is an interesting building that is worth seeing, especially if you like medieval architecture and gothic art .

The cathedral is famous for its organ and even more famous choir, you can come to the concert, the poster is on the official website of the cathedral. A small but very pleasant garden is around the corner

The cathedral is open from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday and from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

It should be noted that the cathedral is functioning and during the services you can not inspect it. The services are daily in the morning, so it's better to come after dinner. On Sunday, the services are almost all day, and the cathedral can also be closed for ceremonies.

The cathedral has a training center, toilets and a cafe in the courtyard. For the right to shoot inside the cathedral, you have to pay 2 GBP for each camera and 5 GBP for each camera (prices for August 2014).

Getting there by subway is easy - the nearest station is called London Bridge, from it to Cathedral just 5 minutes walk

Address: London, SE1 9DA, Southwark Cathedral

Around the cathedral

Very close to the cathedral is Boro-market - a large market for gourmets, along the river laid beautiful promenade promenade with a pleasant cafe overlooking the river - you can walk to Shakespeare's Theater "Globe" and the Tate Modern Gallery, and if you cross the river, the City, Tower and the Tower Bridge itself are at your disposal. There are not too many cafes and restaurants around the cathedral, but there are lots (and very high-quality ones) inside the located next door Boro-market, have a better dinner there. And then - again to walk: this is the old part of London, there is a lot of everything.