Gloucester Abbey, Medieval Benedictine abbey in Gloucester, England
Gloucester Abbey is a former Benedictine monastery in the center of Gloucester, England, now used as an Anglican cathedral. The building combines Norman foundations with Gothic additions, including a tall choir with tracery windows and vaulted cloisters running along the sides.
The site was founded as a religious center in the late 600s and was rebuilt as a Benedictine monastery after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. During the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII in the 1500s, it was converted into a cathedral.
The cloisters were used as a filming location for several Harry Potter movies, and many visitors walk through them recognizing the corridors from the screen. The connection to those films brings a wide mix of people to the building, from school groups to fans from many countries.
The cathedral is open to visitors and the interior is large, so wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea. The cloisters and the nave are on different levels, so allow enough time to explore both areas without rushing.
The cathedral holds the tomb of King Edward II, who was murdered in 1327. The pilgrimages to his tomb brought enough money to fund the Gothic rebuilding work that transformed the choir into one of the earliest examples of the Perpendicular Gothic style in England.
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