St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

St Magnus Cathedral is a Romanesque sandstone church built in red and yellow hues in the center of Kirkwall, Scotland. Rounded arches, solid pillars, and clear spatial divisions shape the interior, while the towers and walls show a visible layering from centuries of construction.

Rognvald Kali Kolsson, an earl in Orkney, began the cathedral in 1137 to honor his uncle. The building work extended over three centuries, shaping the final form of the church through successive phases.

Saint Magnus Erlendsson, killed in the early 12th century on Orkney, gives the building its name and shapes its meaning for islanders today. The red and yellow sandstone glows warmly in sunlight, creating a particular mood inside during services and concerts.

The building is open daily from April to September, with shorter hours in winter, and admission is normally free. Visitors can find their way easily, as the church stands in the town center and is visible from the main streets.

The remains of Saint Magnus himself still rest inside a pillar of the building, discovered there during renovation work in the 19th century. This makes the church the only complete medieval cathedral in all of Scotland.

Inception: 1137

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Made from material: sandstone

Website: http://stmagnus.org

GPS coordinates: 58.98140,-2.95990

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29