Lichfield Cathedral, Anglican cathedral in Lichfield, England
Lichfield Cathedral is an Anglican church of red sandstone in the center of the town with three spires nearly 77 meters tall in the Decorated style. The building extends across several areas including nave, transepts, choir, and an octagonal Chapter House with stone carvings.
Construction began in 1195 on the site of a Norman church and continued with several expansions until the three spires were completed in the 14th century. During the English Civil War in the 1640s, the cathedral suffered heavy damage from cannon fire and was later restored.
The three spires earned the nickname Ladies of the Vale from locals who saw them rise above the surrounding countryside. The red sandstone exterior shifts tone with the weather and time of day.
Entry is free every day, but donations are encouraged to support maintenance. Guided tours run at different times, and visitors can view the library by prior arrangement.
The Chapter House holds the St Chad Gospels, a handwritten gospel book from the 8th century that ranks among England's oldest Christian texts. Visitors can see this manuscript in a climate-controlled display case.
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