St Andrews Cathedral, Saint Andrews, Medieval cathedral ruins in St Andrews, Scotland
St Andrews Cathedral is a medieval ruin in the coastal town of St Andrews, Scotland, with remaining walls and arches spread across roughly 119 meters. The grounds include a graveyard, foundations of earlier buildings, and a museum housing preserved sculptures and stonework.
The foundation took place in 1158 as a religious center that played a central role in medieval Scotland for over four centuries. The Reformation in 1559 led to destruction by Protestant supporters, and the site was later abandoned.
The Pictish sarcophagus displays detailed animal figures and geometric patterns that offer insight into life before the medieval period. Visitors can examine the surviving stonework on the arches, where the original Gothic and Romanesque construction remains visible.
The grounds are accessible daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM between April and September, with shorter hours during winter. Access to the graveyard is free, while the museum and tower require admission.
The tower staircase of St Rule contains 156 narrow steps that spiral upward and offer a view over the Fife coast. The tower predates the construction of the main building and is one of the few almost fully preserved parts of the site.
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