Peterborough Cathedral's West Front: A Surprising History

Peterborough Cathedral's West Front: A Surprising History

Been to Peterborough Cathedral? You may have admired its triple arches, but the history behind their addition might surprise you.

Beyond its imposing Early English Gothic West Front, and the three saints graced on its facade, lies an intriguing history. Peterborough Cathedral has stood on this site since 655 AD, but the specifics of its construction might surprise you. The West Front itself, with its triple arches, was not built until the 13th century during the rebuilding and restructuring of the Cathedral, not in the 12th century as the construction of the current Cathedral building started in 1118. The switch to the new Gothic style happened after the West Front was completed in 1237.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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