St John's College, University college in Cambridge, England
St John's College is a college of the University of Cambridge in England, stretching along the River Cam through twelve interconnected courts. The buildings range from the early sixteenth century to modern architecture, combining a mix of red brick, sandstone and chapels with bright stained glass.
Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII, founded the college in 1511 on the site of a medieval hospital from the thirteenth century. Over the centuries the institution expanded steadily westward, crossing the river with the Bridge of Sighs in the nineteenth century.
The foundation honors Saint John the Evangelist, patron of its royal founder. Today the courts house chapels, libraries and common rooms where students and tutors meet daily.
Visitors can explore parts of the college during set opening times, though some areas remain closed for academic use. Main entrances face St John's Street, and paths lead through several courts down to the riverside.
Several courts carry names of donors from later centuries, including chapels consecrated at different times. A side entrance opens directly onto a narrow lane that once led to the town market.
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