Why You Should Visit the Historic Canterbury Cathedral

Almost everyone has had to read Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales at some point during their education. Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle-English by Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are written as a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims traveling together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral, as told by Chaucer in his famous tome, and since that time the Cathedral has attracted thousands of pilgrims.

Having survived fires, pillaging, and attacks by the Danes, aggression from the Puritans and more throughout the centuries, the cathedral luckily remained virtually intact, even through the aggressive air bombings in the area during the Second World War. Today over 2 million visitors come to the Cathedral each year; some come to pray and some come as tourists. If you like to travel, the Canterbury Cathedral is a lovely place to go; the history, architecture, art, and religious aspects, as well as the archival library and beautiful countryside surrounding the structure are more than enough reasons for most.

First and foremost Canterbury Cathedral is a working, living church and place of worship; Cathedral life begins daily with morning prayer and finishes with evening prayer. The Eucharist is also offered daily. Many other services take place throughout the year and visitors are always welcome.

Canterbury Cathedral is impressive for its size alone. A unique combination of architectural features from Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, generally known as Romanesque architecture which is known for thick walls, sturdy piers, large towers and decorative arcading. Equally impressive, as well as revolutionary at the time of construction, are Canterbury Cathedral's pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

The grandeur of the building's Romanesque Gothic style architecture reflects historic and religious importance, as does the magnificent collection of medieval stained glass windows. Canterbury Cathedral's stained glass windows, many surviving from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, are a sight to behold; in the Middle Ages most people could not read or write, stained glass windows told the stories of the Bible in pictures that anyone could interpret.

A particular grouping, known as the Miracle Windows, depict stories that sometimes involve local people whose names are still known today. These windows provide a fascinating glimpse into medieval life, particularly common illnesses and accidents. Many scenes take place around Thomas Becket's tomb.

The Cathedral now has its own stained glass conservation studio, established in 1973, and a team of seven highly trained conservators. The studio has become a center of excellence in stained glass conservation and restoration throughout the world.

The Canterbury tradition of Cathedral music is something very special. Music is an integral part of Cathedral life and they take great pride in the music performed at their services. Every day visitors are given the chance to celebrate and enjoy music written for the English choral tradition as well as music from other parts of the world. The choir consists of twelve Lay Clerks, men who are professional singers but also work locally, and the 30-strong choristers, boys of 8 - 13 years old who attend St Edmund's School in Canterbury. They sing at services six days a week, as well as at special events happening in Canterbury Cathedral.

The choir's repertoire is extensive and always expanding; they learn and perform music dating from the 13th century to modern works. Every two-weeks there is a mixture of styles and composers so that there is something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. Evensong is sung on a Wednesday and is normally sung by the Lay Clerks alone. The twelve Lay Clerks, 4 basses, 4 tenors and 4 countertenors, have a high standard of vocal training and ability. Since the post of Lay Clerk is part-time it requires great commitment to fit the singing in and around other work and family, but the result is heavenly.

For the more serious traveler the Canterbury Cathedral Library may be a point of interest. Since the Reformation numerous donations have formed the majority of holdings. The Library contains about 30,000 books and pamphlets printed before 1900, and a collection of some 20,000 books and serials published in the 20th and 21st centuries. The collection of books on church history, older theology, national and local history, travel, natural science, medicine and the anti-slavery movement is particularly expansive. The Library welcomes all researchers; their holdings are tracked on the internet as part of the University of Kent's online catalogue at http://opac.kent.ac.uk.

The Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, England, is one of the oldest Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site. Kent is in the southeastern corner of England. It borders the river Thames and North Sea to the north, and the Straits of Dover and English Channel to the south. France is a mere 21 miles across the Strait, and Kent is one of the warmest parts of England. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, art, music, spiritual aspect or the beautiful country surrounding Canterbury Cathedral, it is definitely worth the visit.

References: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/canterbury-cathedral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Cathedral