Hereford Cathedral, Anglican cathedral in Hereford, England
Hereford Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Hereford, England, featuring Gothic architecture with a central tower rising above the crossing, Norman pillars, and pointed arches throughout the building. The structure covers a large footprint with side aisles, chapels, and a cloister opening onto an inner courtyard.
Work on the present building began in 1079 under Bishop Robert of Lorraine, after Welsh forces destroyed an earlier church on the same site. Extensions and alterations followed over the centuries, with the central tower erected in the 14th century.
The Mappa Mundi housed here shows how people in 1300 imagined the world, with Jerusalem at the center and strange creatures marking unknown lands. Visitors can also see the chained library, where medieval books remain fixed to their shelves by long iron chains to prevent theft.
The cathedral is open daily, with main areas freely accessible and guided tours offered for those who want to learn more about the architecture and collections. The site is mostly level, though some areas like the tower require stairs.
The 14th-century misericords show carved scenes with mythical beings, including a pig playing bagpipes and a rabbit chasing a hunter. These small wooden supports under the choir seats were meant to help clergy rest during long services.
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