Rochester Cathedral, Norman cathedral in Rochester, England.
Rochester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Rochester, Medway, that stands on raised ground above the town. The building shows a central crossing tower that rises above the surrounding masonry, along with two smaller western towers that flank the main facade with its decorated stone arches and columns.
Bishop Justus founded one of England's first dioceses here in 604, ranking second only after Canterbury. The Norman architect Gundulf began rebuilding the present stone structure in the late 11th century, raising it on the foundations of the earlier Saxon church.
This building remains the second oldest bishopric in England and still hosts regular Anglican services that follow centuries of continuous tradition. Members of the local community gather here for worship, and the walls carry the names and memorials of those who served the church over many generations.
The cathedral opens its doors daily, and admission includes access to the main rooms as well as the crypt below ground level. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the stone floors can be uneven and some areas are reached by stairs.
The crypt preserves medieval wall paintings that once lay hidden beneath layers of plaster and were uncovered only in the 20th century. It also holds the tomb of William of Perth, a Scottish pilgrim whose murder in 1201 near the town led to local veneration.
Location: Rochester
Location: Medway
Inception: 7 century
Architects: Gundulf
Architectural style: Norman architecture
Website: http://rochestercathedral.org
GPS coordinates: 51.38892,0.50352
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24
This collection presents neogothic architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when architects across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania revived medieval building forms. The movement began in Britain and spread worldwide, employing pointed arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults and stone spires. This architectural language was used for churches, universities, government buildings and railway stations. The collection includes religious structures like Cologne Cathedral and Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, government buildings such as the Parliament Complex in Ottawa and the Palace of Westminster in London, educational institutions like the University of Glasgow Main Building, and transport hubs including St. Pancras Station in London and Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. These structures demonstrate how architects adapted medieval techniques to modern building materials and functions.
Rochester Castle
164 m
Rochester Guildhall
226 m
Guildhall Museum
222 m
Royal Victoria And Bull Hotel
231 m
Royal Crown Hotel
288 m
Bridge Chapel
279 m
Bridge Chambers and Bridge Chapel
276 m
George Vaults
165 m
Citizens' Advice Bureau, wing to south east of the Guildhall
214 m
32, High Street
178 m
The Castle Club
274 m
No 1 Including Railings
286 m
24, High Street
200 m
12 and 14 High Street, Rochester
246 m
28, High Street
191 m
10, High Street
254 m
K6 telephone kiosk outside the Guildhall
234 m
The Rochester Bar
216 m
22, High Street
204 m
Balustrade Between Rochester Bridge And Rochester Pier
267 m
National Westminster Bank
154 m
19, High Street
208 m
34 And 36, High Street
170 m
30, High Street
185 m
20, High Street
210 m
26, High Street
195 m
Gandulph House
253 m
21 And 23, High Street
202 mReviews
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