Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland
The first Christianized Danish king, Sitric (Sigtryggr Silkbeard), built a wooden church at this site in 1038. On the brow of a hill inside the city walls, it was the most commanding position in Dublin. The present stone cathedral was begun in 1172 after the conquest of Dublin by Strongbow ( Richard de Clare), a Norman baron. Construction continued well into the 13th century, so a transition from Norman to Early English Gothic styles can be seen in the architecture. The cathedral's vault collapsed in 1562, bringing down the south side of the nave with it. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. Funded by the distiller Henry Roe, the cathedral was heavily restored by architect G. E. Street in 1871-78. As with many Victorian renovations, the work was important for preserving the ancient building but also robbed the cathedral of much of its medieval character. The exterior was entirely refaced and the interior was fully renovated in a Victorian Neo-Gothic style. Street also rebuilt the tower and added external buttresses. What to See at Christ Church Cathedral The exterior was almost entirely refaced with new stone during the restoration of 1875 but retains the original Norman and Early English structure. South of the transept are the ruins of the 13th-century chapter house. The transept itself has a fine Romanesque portal, which was moved here from the north side in 1826. The nave was begun in 1234 in the Early English style, with pointed arches. The south wall of the nave was rebuilt in the 17th century after the vault collapsed, but the north wall is original. Also original from the 13th century are the west bay of the choir and carved capitals in the nave, transept and choir. The south aisle of the nave contains the tomb of Strongbow (d. 1196), with an impressive effigy of an armored knight. The small figure may have a visceral monument, intended to hold the organs of the nobleman. Also in the south aisle is the state pew, reserved for national government o
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Photo credit: © Christ Cathedral / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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