Lincoln Cathedral, the world's tallest building, circa 1300-1549 Lincoln Cathedral, the world's tallest building, circa 1300-1549 Lincoln Cathedral, the world's tallest building, circa 1300-1549 Blackleaf #1Sep 20th, 2007 An article on Lincoln Cathedral, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, in eastern England, which has the fantastic record of being the world's tallest building way back between around 1300 to 1549, when its extremely tall spire blew down in a storm. It was the first building on the planet to exceed the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was the tallest building in the world for 4000 years before Lincoln Cathedral's tall central tower and spire were built between 1307 and 1311. The world's tallest building nowadays is currently Taipei 101 in Taiwan which is 1670 feet in height. When Lincoln Cathedral was the world's tallest building it was a mere 525 feet in height, tiny in comparison with modern buildings but extremely tall to the people of the time.

Lincoln Cathedral stands on the sight of two other cathedrals. The first was destroyed by fire in the 1140s and was rebuilt. That was then destroyed by an earthquake in 1185. To this day, Lincoln Cathedral still has the tallest medieval tower in Europe. Lincoln Cathedral, in Lincolnshire, eastern England, was the tallest building in the world, from just after 1300 to 1549. The spire that made it the world's tallest building is no longer there having been blown down in a storm in 1549. It was the first building on the planet to exceed the height of the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt, which was the world's tallest building for 4000 years. Lincoln Cathedral (in full The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, or sometimes St. Mary's Cathedral) is a historic cathedral in Lincoln (external - login to view) in England (external - login to view) and seat of the Diocese of Lincoln (external - login to view) in the Church of England (external - login to view).

It was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years, but the central tower collapsed in the sixteenth century and was not rebuilt. It is highly regarded by architectural scholars; the eminent Victorian (external - login to view) writer John Ruskin (external - login to view) declared, "I have always held... that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have." History William the Conqueror (external - login to view) ordered the first cathedral to be built in Lincoln, in 1072 (external - login to view). Before that, St. Mary's Church in Lincoln was a mother church (external - login to view) but not a cathedral (external - login to view), and the seat of the diocese was at Dorchester Abbey in Dorchester-on-Thames (external - login to view), Oxfordshire. Lincoln was more central to a diocese that stretched from the Thames to the Humber.

Bishop Remigius (external - login to view) built the first Lincoln Cathedral on the present site, finishing it in 1092 (external - login to view) and then dying two days before it was to be consecrated (external - login to view) on May 9 (external - login to view) of that year. About fifty years later, most of that building was destroyed in a fire. Bishop Alexander (external - login to view) rebuilt and expanded the cathedral, but it was destroyed by an earthquake (external - login to view) about forty years later, in 1185 (external - login to view). Norman West front After the earthquake, a new bishop was appointed. The new bishop was St Hugh of Lincoln (external - login to view), originally from Avalon (external - login to view), France (external - login to view); he began a massive rebuilding and expansion programme. Rebuilding began at the east end of the cathedral, with an apse and five small radiating chapels. The central nave was then built in the Early English Gothic (external - login to view) style.

Lincoln Cathedral soon followed other architectural advances of the time - pointed arches, flying buttresses (external - login to view) and ribbed vaulting (external - login to view) were added to the cathedral. This allowed the creation and support of larger windows. The cathedral is the 3rd largest in Britain (in floor space) after St Paul's (external - login to view) and York Minster (external - login to view), being 484ft by 271ft. It is Lincolnshire's largest building and the tower is the tallest medieval tower in Europe. Accompanying the cathedral's large bell, Great Tom of Lincoln, is a quarter-hour striking clock. The clock was installed in the early 19th century. There are several bells in the south-west tower, two in the north west tower, and five in the central tower (including Great Tom). The matching Dean's Eye and Bishopï¿½s Eye were added to the cathedral during the late Middle Ages.

The former, the Dean's Eye in the north transept dates from the 1192 (external - login to view) rebuild begun by St Hugh, it was finally completed in 1235 (external - login to view). The latter, the Bishopï¿½s eye, in the south transept was re-constructed 100 years later in 1330 (external - login to view). A contemporary record, ï¿½The Metrical Life of St Hughï¿½, refers to the meaning of these two windows (one on the dark, north, side and the other on the light, south, side of the building): ï¿½For north represents the devil, and south the Holy Spirit and it is in these directions that the two eyes look. The bishop faces the south in order to invite in and the dean the north in order to shun; the one takes care to be saved, the other takes care not to perish.

With these Eyes the cathedralï¿½s face is on watch for the candelabra of Heaven and the darkness of Lethe (oblivion).ï¿½ After the additions of the Deanï¿½s eye and other major Gothic additions it is believed some mistakes in the support of the tower occurred, for in either in 1237 (external - login to view) or 1239 (external - login to view) the main tower collapsed. A new tower was soon started and in 1255 (external - login to view) the Cathedral petitioned Henry III (external - login to view) to allow them to take down part of the extended town wall to enlarge and expand the Cathedral, including the rebuilt of the main tower and spire. They replaced the small rounded chapels (built at the time of St Hugh) with a larger east end to the cathedral. This was to handle the increasing number of pilgrims to the Cathedral, who came to worship at the shrine of Hugh of Lincoln (external - login to view).

Between the years 1307 (external - login to view) and 1311 (external - login to view) the central tower was raised to its present height of 83 m (external - login to view) (271 feet (external - login to view)). The western towers and front of the cathedral were also improved and heightened. At this time, a tall lead-encased wooden spire topped the central tower but was blown down in a storm in 1549 (external - login to view). With its spire, the tower reputedly reached a height of 525 feet (which would have made it the world's tallest structure (external - login to view), surpassing the Great Pyramid of Giza (external - login to view), which held the record for almost 4000 years). Other additions to the cathedral at this time included its elaborate carved screen and the 14th century misericords, as was the Angel choir. For a large part of the length of the cathedral, the walls have arches in relief with a second layer in front giving the illusion of a passageway along the wall.

However the illusion does not work, as the stonemason, copying techniques from France, did not make the arches the correct length needed for the illusion effect. In 1290 Eleanor of Castile (external - login to view) died. As his Queen Consort of England, King Edward I (external - login to view) decided to honour her with an elegant funeral procession. After embalming, which in the thirteenth century involved evisceration (external - login to view), Eleanor's viscera were buried in Lincoln cathedral, and Edward placed a duplicate of the Westminster (external - login to view) tomb there. The Lincoln tomb's original stone chest survives; its effigy was destroyed in the 17th century and replaced with a 19th-century copy. On the outside of Lincoln Cathedral are two prominent statues often identified as Edward and Eleanor, but these images were heavily restored in the 19th century and probably were not originally intended to depict the couple. In the 15th century the building of the cathedral turned to chantry or memorial chapels.

The chapels next to the Angel Choir were built in the Perpendicular style, with an emphasis on strong vertical lines, which survive today in the window tracery and wall panelling. Magna Carta The Bishop of Lincoln was one of the signatories to the Magna Carta (external - login to view) and for hundreds of years the Cathedral has held one of the four remaining copies of the original. It now resides in the nearby Lincoln Castle (external - login to view), where it is on permanent display. There are three other surviving copies, two at the British Library (external - login to view) and one at Salisbury Cathedral (external - login to view). The Lincoln Imp According to a 14th century legend, this little creature created chaos in the cathedral, until a passing angel transformed him to stone. He now sits high up within the cathedral. One of the stone gargoyles within the Cathedral is the Lincoln Imp (external - login to view). There are several variations of the legend surrounding the figure. According to 14th-century legend, two mischievous creatures called imps were sent by Satan to do evil work on Earth.

After causing mayhem elsewhere in Northern England the two imps headed to Lincoln Cathedral where they smashed tables and chairs and tripped up the Bishop. An angel appeared in the Angel Choir and ordered them to stop. One of the imps sat atop a stone pillar started throwing rocks at the angel whilst the other imp cowered under the broken tables and chairs. The angel turned the first imp to stone allowing the second imp to escape. The imp that turned to stone, the Lincoln Imp, can still be found, frozen in stone, sitting atop his stone column in the Angel Choir. According to legend, the imp which escaped fled north to Grimsby (external - login to view), where it soon began making trouble again. It entered St. James' Church and began repeating its behaviour at Lincoln Cathedral. The angel then reappeared and gave the imp's backside a good thrashing before turning it to stone like its friend. The "Grimsby Imp" can still be seen in St. James' Church, clinging to its sore bottom. Wren library The Wren Library houses a rare collection of over 277 manuscripts, including the text of the Bede (external - login to view). Bede (c.

672 (external - login to view) or 673 (external - login to view) ï¿½ May 25 (external - login to view), 735 (external - login to view)), was a Benedictine (external - login to view) monk (external - login to view) at the Northumbrian (external - login to view) monastery (external - login to view) of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth (external - login to view), today part of Sunderland (external - login to view), and of its companion monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow (external - login to view) (see Wearmouth-Jarrow (external - login to view)), both in the English (external - login to view) county of Durham (external - login to view) (now Tyne and Wear (external - login to view)). He is well known as an author and scholar, and his most famous work, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (external - login to view) (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title "The father of English history (external - login to view)".

His works show that he had at his command all the learning of his time. It was thought that the library at the monastery in Wearmouth-Jarrow was between 300-500 books, making it one of the largest and most extensive in England. It is clear that Biscop (who, along with Ceolfrid, was the abbot) made strenuous efforts to collect books during his extensive travels. Bede's writings are classed as scientific, historical and theological, reflecting the range of his writings from music (external - login to view) and metrics (external - login to view) to Scripture (external - login to view) commentaries. He was proficient in patristic (external - login to view) literature, and quotes Pliny the Elder (external - login to view), Virgil (external - login to view), Lucretius (external - login to view), Ovid (external - login to view), Horace (external - login to view) and other classical (external - login to view) writers, but with some disapproval. He knew some Greek (external - login to view), but no Hebrew (external - login to view).

His Latin (external - login to view) is generally clear and without affectation, and he was a skillful story-teller. However, his style can be considerably more obscure in his Biblical commentaries. Bede's scriptural commentaries employed the allegorical (external - login to view) method of interpretation and his history includes accounts of miracles, which to modern historians has seemed at odds with his critical approach to the materials in his history. Modern studies have shown the important role such concepts played in the world-view of Early Medieval scholars. Today According to the cathedral website, over ï¿½1 million a year is spent on keeping the cathedral in shape; the most recent project completed has been the restoration of the West Front in 2000. About 10 years ago it was discovered that the Flying Buttresses (external - login to view) on the east end were no longer connected to the adjoining stonework (external - login to view) and repairs were made to prevent collapse. The most recent problem was the discovery that the stonework of the Dean's Eye window in the transept was crumbling.

It has now been replaced, but there was a period of great angst when it emerged that the stonework only needed to shift 5mm for the entire cathedral to collapse. The window and its supports were removed and replaced, the glass cleaned and strengthened and in April 2006, the renovation project was completed at a cost of ï¿½2 million. Recently, concerns have been growing once more about the state of the West Front, as there has been some stonework falling, which has raised questions as to the effectiveness of the repairs carried out in 2000. Lincoln Cathedral is at present, a very popular destination and is visited by over 250,000 tourists a year. The cathedral offers tours of the cathedral, the tower and the roof. The peak of its season is the Lincoln Christmas Market (external - login to view), accompanied by a massive annual production of Handel's (external - login to view) Messiah (external - login to view). The current Bishop of Lincoln is Dr John Saxbee. Lincoln Cathedral has a new Dean, as the previous, Alan Knight, retired, to be replaced by Phillip Buckler, who was previously working in London.

wikipedia.org The Pillars of the Earth - Inside England's Medieval Cathedrals From the Middle Ages until the advent of the skyscraper, Cathedrals were often the world’s tallest buildings. In 1311, the spire of Lincoln Cathedral surpassed the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza. They reached for the heavens to the glory of God. Listen to Allegri’s Miserere mei, Deus as we take a journey inside England’s Medieval Cathedrals. Bristol Cathedral, Bristol A unique feature of Bristol Cathedral is its 14th-century Decorated Gothic vaulting. The short lierne ribs of the choir form beautiful stellar patterns that historian Nikolaus Pevsner called “superior to anything else in England” in terms of spatial imagination. The nave of Bristol Cathedral looking west towards the entrance. Credit: David Iliff Vaulting of the choir. Credit: David Iliff Canterbury Cathedral, Kent One of the largest cathedrals in England, Canterbury Cathedral is famous for its 12th- and 13th-century stained glass, its perpendicular nave, the tomb of the Black Prince, and the site of St. Thomas Becket’s murder.

Canterbury Cathedral – 12th-century choir. Credit: David Iliff Canterbury Cathedral – The stained glass of the southern side of Trinity Chapel. Credit: David Iliff Canterbury Cathedral- stained glass window- detail showing miracles of healing Canterbury Cathedral – upper half of Poor man’s Bible window Chester Cathedral, Cheshire Chester Cathedral’s choir has exquisite figurative carving dating from 1380. The building of the nave, which began in 1323, was halted by plague and not completed until 150 years later. Chester Cathedral – Choir Stalls and Rood Screen. Credit: David Iliff Chester Cathedral – The nave. Credit: Michael Beckwith Chichester Cathedral, West Sussex Notable features include a transitional retro-choir, early Norman relief carvings and the 15th-century belfry. The spire can be seen from the English Channel. Chichester Cathedral – The Choir looking west. Credit: David Iliff Chichester Cathedral – The Lady Chapel. Credit: Richard Gillin Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire Architecturally, Ely Cathedral is outstanding both for its scale and stylistic details.

Built in a monumental Romanesque style, the galilee porch, lady chapel and choir were rebuilt in an exuberant Decorated Gothic. One of the most important features is the central octagon built in 1322, which experts consider to be a wonder of English cathedral architecture. The choir of Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. Credit: David Iliff The nave of Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. Credit: David Iliff Ely Cathedral – The ceiling of the nave and lantern, viewed from the Octagon. Credit: David Iliff Exeter Cathedral, Devon A good example of the Decorated Gothic style of the 14-th century, Exeter Cathedral has the longest medieval vault in the world—running between two Norman towers built over the transepts. Exeter Cathedral – looking east toward the organ. Credit: David Iliff Exeter Cathedral – The Lady Chapel. Credit: David Iliff Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire Massive masonry piers characterize the Norman nave, and the largest medieval window in the world is the area of a tennis court. Gloucester Cathedral – The nave looking east toward the choir. Credit: David Iliff Gloucester Cathedral – The soaring stained glass windows behind the high altar.

Credit: David Iliff The cloisters have the earliest example of fan-vaulting, making a distinctive setting for scenes of the Harry Potter film series. Gloucester Cathedral – Cloisters with fan vaulted roof Hereford Cathedral, Herefordshire A Norman nave and large central tower with unusual north transept and porch house an important treasure—the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the 13th century. Hereford Cathedral – The nave looking west. Credit: David Iliff Hereford Cathedral – The Choir. Credit: David Iliff The Early English Lady Chapel is considered “one of the most beautiful of the thirteenth century”. Hereford Cathedral – The Lady Chapel. Credit: David Iliff Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire The only one of the cathedrals to have retained three spires, Lichfield Cathedral suffered serious damage during the English Civil War. Even though all of the stained glass was destroyed, the Lady Chapel retained some of the finest medieval Flemish painted glass in existence. Lichfield Cathedral – The High Altar. Credit: David Iliff Lichfield Cathedral – The choir.

Credit: David Iliff Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire The third largest in Britain, Lincoln Cathedral was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1549). The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt, but even so the Victorian writer John Ruskin called it “out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have.” Lincoln Cathedral – The nave looking east. Credit: David Iliff Lincoln Cathedral – Interior view of the crossing tower. Credit: David Iliff Lincoln Cathedral – The choir looking west. Credit: David Iliff Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk Norwich Cathedral’s Norman tower surmounted by a 15th-century spire is the second tallest in England, surpassed only by Salisbury Cathedral. The spectacular vaulting has hundreds of ornately carved, painted and gilded bosses, each decorated with a theological image, and said to be without parallel in the Christian world. Norwich Cathedral – The presbytery as viewed from the choir. Credit: David Iliff Norwich Cathedral – The pulpitum. Credit: David Iliff Norwich Cathedral – The choir.

Credit: David Iliff Oxford Cathedral, Oxfordshire One of the oldest in England, Oxford Cathedral’s 13th-century stone spire perfectly complements Oxford’s tradition as “the city of dreaming spires”. But the late-15th-century pendant vault over the Norman chancel is its most unusual feature. Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford – The altar and vault. Credit: David Iliff Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford – The Choir. Credit: David Iliff Peterborough Cathedral, Cambridgeshire Known for its imposing Early English Gothic West Front, Peterborough Cathedral’s nave has a decorated wooden ceiling which is unique in Britain and one of only four in Europe. The structure of the building remains largely unaltered since it was completed almost 800 years ago. Peterborough Cathedral – The choir. Credit: David Iliff Peterborough Cathedral – The lady chapel. Credit: David Iliff Peterborough Cathedral – The High Altar Ripon Cathedral, North Yorkshire Dating from the 7th century to 1522, Ripon Cathedral’s choir is famed for its richly carved 14th-century stalls, with many lively figures among the carvings.

Ripon Cathedral – The nave, showing a clear asymmetry in the arches. Credit: David Iliff Ripon Cathedral – The rood screen. Credit: David Iliff Ripon Cathedral – The organ. Credit: David Iliff St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire St Albans is the second longest cathedral in the United Kingdom (after Winchester), but it has the longest nave. Much of the structure was built from bricks salvaged from the nearby site of an ancient Roman town called Verulamium. Medieval wall paintings and a painted wooden roof from the late 13th century are among its other attractions. St Albans Cathedral – The Wallingford Screen of c. 1480—the statues are Victorian replacements (1884–89) of the originals, destroyed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when the screen itself was also damaged. Credit: David Iliff St Albans Cathedral – The choir. Credit: David Iliff Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire With its harmonious proportions and the tallest spire in the United Kingdon, Salisbury epitomises the English Medieval Cathedral.

It houses the world’s oldest working clock (from AD 1386), and the best surviving of the four original copies of Magna Carta. Salisbury Cathedral – The nave looking east from the font. Credit: David Iliff Salisbury Cathedral’s Trinity Chapel (Lady Chapel) ceiling. Credit: David Iliff Salisbury Cathedral – The Choir. Credit: Julian guffogg Wells Cathedral, Somerset Wells has been variously described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and as “the most poetic” of English cathedrals. Pure Early English Gothic of the late 12th and early 13th centuries, Wells features deeply sculpted moldings and has retained much of the original glass. Wells Cathedral – The nave, viewed from the entrance. Credit: David Iliff Wells Cathedral – The Chapter House. Credit: David Iliff Wells Cathedral – The Lady Chapel. Credit: David Iliff Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire The longest medieval cathedral in the world, Winchester’s spectacular perpendicular nave has been literally carved out of the original Norman interior, with its tall arches and prominent vertical design. Winchester features elaborate wooden carvings from many different periods as well as a magnificent stone screen behind the High Altar.

Winchester Cathedral – The nave viewed from the west looking towards the choir. Credit: David Iliff Winchester Cathedral – The Choir looking west. Credit: David Iliff Winchester Cathedral – The High Altar. Credit: David Iliff Worcester Cathedral, Worcestershire Worcester Cathedral incorporates styles from every century from the 11th to the 16th. The earliest part of the building is the multi-columned Norman crypt, with the nave showing a unique and decorative transition between Norman and Gothic over a 200-year period. The Cathedral chancel contains the tomb of King John. Worcester Cathedral – The choir. Credit: David Iliff Worcester Cathedral – The lady chapel and east window. Credit: David Iliff Worcester Cathedral – The transept organ-case. Credit: David Iliff York Minster, North Yorkshire One of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, York Minster has a very wide Decorated Gothic nave with the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The large central window has fine Flowing Decorated tracery called the “Heart of Yorkshire”. Now an honorific title, “Minster” is attributed to churches established in the Anglo-Saxon period as missionary teaching churches.

York Minster – The nave of York Minster. Credit: David Iliff York Minster – The Kings Screen and organ. Credit: David Iliff York Minster – The chapter house. Credit: David Iliff York Minster – The Choir. Credit: David Iliff Reading Suggestions Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln | 127684 | EMPORIS Lincoln Cathedral fromfaraway-the-cathedral-and-old-town-from-lincoln-castle Paul Micallef fullheightview-front-view-from-the-cathedral-courtyard Paul Micallef fullheightview-central-tower-from-the-southwest Ed Lewis Download Extended Building Profile PDF now! Preview PDF Direct download of the public profile for Lincoln Cathedral See all publicly available data fields Miss out on additional information about building data as well as involved companies and their contact information Direct download of the full building profile for Lincoln Cathedral See additional building data as well as involved companies and their contact information Receive actionable data and start working with new Leads right away Buy now Additional data fields available Building pinpoint * The price includes VAT and shipping costs. No shipping costs apply to the download. When downloading images you may be subject to other costs from your internet service provider. Cathedral Church of St.

Mary EBN church Facts The cathedral suffered a major setback in 1237 or 1239 when the central tower collapsed. Work on a new tower began immediately, and by 1255 part of the old town wall had to be demolished to accommodate the expanding cathedral. An earthquake struck Lincoln in 1185, causing structural damage to the cathedral. This time it was rebuilt by St Hugh in a Gothic style in 1192. Work continued into the 13th Century, after St Hugh's death in 1200. In 1072, the largest diocese in medieval England was based at Dorchester. The Bishop, Remigius, decided to move the Bishopric to Lincoln and in 1092 the new cathedral at Lincoln was consecrated. The two towers over the west front are each 63m (206ft) high. Provided interior shots for the 2006 movie 'The Da Vinci Code' after permission to use the interior of Westminster Abbey was denied on the grounds that the book on which the film was based was deemed "theologically unsound".

This was the world's tallest building between c.1311 and 1549. The collapse of the central tower saw the title taken by Old St. Paul's Cathedral in London. In or around 1141 the cathedral was damaged by fire. Alexander 'the Magnificent', Bishop of Lincoln from 1123 to 1148, was charged with rebuilding the cathedral and, according to sources at the time, did the job so well that the new cathedral was better than the original. Between 1307 and 1311 the central tower was raised to its present height, as were the twin western towers between 1370 and 1400. They were also all topped by tremendous spires; that of the central tower, rising to a height of 160m (525ft), blew down in 1549. The spires of the western towers remained in place until they became unsafe and were finally removed in 1807, creating the present form of the cathedral. Do you need more information about this building and its related companies?

9406 | Lincoln Cathedral is a Grade I Listed Building which … | Flickr Ben Abel By: Ben Abel 9406 Lincoln Cathedral is a Grade I Listed Building which was built between 1185 and 1311 and was the tallest building in the world for 249 years until 1549 when the central spire collapsed. Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Done 1549: Lincoln Cathedral Tower and Spire Collapse | Learning from Building Failures Learning from Building Failures Dates of Failure: 1141, 1185, 1237, 1549 Number of Casualties: Unknown Construction on the Lincoln Cathedral first began in 1072 [ a ]. This magnificent structure still stands today; however, its appearance has changed throughout years as a result of several structural failures requiring portions of the cathedral to be rebuilt. It was severely damaged by fire in 1141, and by an earthquake in 1185. The cathedral was soon after reconstructed in the Gothic style.

Due to the “experimental nature of Gothic architecture” structural problems occurred, leading to the collapse of the central tower shortly thereafter in 1237 [ a ]. The tower collapsed during a sermon burying part of the congregation. The tower was once again rebuilt and raised to its present height. Between 1307 and 1311, a spire was added to the tower making the cathedral the tallest structure in the world [Image 1], surpassing the pyramids at Giza which had held the record for thousands of years. The lead encased spire eventually became vulnerable due to rotting, and in 1549 collapsed under high winds during a severe storm [ b , c ]. It has also been speculated that the connection between the masonry tower and the wood spire had become weak [ d ]. The spire was never rebuilt. Later, the spires topping the two smaller towers were removed [Image 2] after their weight and poor foundations threatened the collapse of the towers [ d , e ].

Because the original central tower and the two smaller towers date back to the same renovation period, it is possible that the failure of the central tower in 1237 was also due to an overload of weight and a poor foundation. However, it seems that no in depth investigation was ever made in order to determine the exact causes of these failures, or at least investigations that were recorded and preserved. Tweet Cathedral is not only the place where people come to pray but also the great architectural monuments. Each cathedral features typical design and appearance depending on different geographical locations, belief and religions. Around the world, there are five constructions known as the tallest cathedrals including Ulm Minster, Lincoln, St. Olaf\'s church, The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and Cologne Cathedral. Cologne Cathedral (157.4 m) Cologne Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Church in Germany, is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a World Heritage Site and one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany as well as Cologne\'s most famous landmark. It attracts 30 thousand people every day.

Cologne Cathedral - a Roman Catholic Church in Germany Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and completed in 1880. It is 144.5 m long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall. The cathedral is one of the world\'s largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. Because of its enormous twin spires, it also presents the largest façade of any church in the world. The cathedral is a World Heritage Site The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (158 m) The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro was constructed between 1985 and 1989 at a cost of $300 million. The design of the dome and encircled plaza are clearly inspired by those of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City, although it is not an outright replica. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (158 m) The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace has an area of 30,000 sq meters and is 158m high.

However, it also includes a rectory and a villa counted in the overall area. The construction can accommodate 18,000 worshippers, compared to 60,000 for St. Peter\'s. Guinness World Records lists it as the largest church in the world St. Olaf\'s church, Tallinn (159 m) St. Olaf’s church in Tallinn, Estonia is believed to have been built in the 12th century and to have been the centre for old Tallinn\'s Scandinavian community prior to the conquest of Tallinn by Denmark in 1219. Its dedication relates to King Olaf II of Norway. A legend tells that the builder of the church, named Olaf, upon its completion, fell to his death from atop the tower. St. Olaf’s church or St.

Olav\'s church in Tallinn, Estonia The tower\'s viewing platform offers panoramic views over the old town Lincoln (159.7 m) Construction of the Cathedral finished in the year 1311 AD and maintained the title of the world\'s tallest building for 238 years until 1549 AD, when the central spire was destroyed in a storm. The central spire was never re-built. Lincoln Cathedral (159.7 m) Lincoln Cathedral is an amalgamation of different architectural styles and features that have developed through centuries of alterations, rebuilding and restorations. The cathedral continued to be altered and added to in the 17th and 18th centuries including the library designed by Wren in 1674. Since the late 20th century, it has been the subject of continuous restoration and maintenance campaigns. Lincoln Cathedral is an old architectural style Ulm Minster (161.5 m) Ulm Minster is a Lutheran church located in Ulm, Germany and a famous example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. Like Cologne Cathedral, Ulm Minster was not completed until the 19th century.

It is the tallest church in the world with a steeple measuring 160.9 meters and containing 768 steps. From the top level at 143 meters, there is a panoramic view of Ulm in Baden-Württemberg and Neu-Ulm. The final stairwell to the top known as the third Gallery is a tall spiraling staircase that has barely enough space for one person. Cathedrals and Churches | Visit England Tours Cathedrals and Churches Enquire Now There is nothing that evokes a sense of heritage more than the Cathedrals and Churches of England. These historic treasures range from fabulous cathedrals, some of the most elaborate and effusive examples of medieval architecture, to isolated country Parish Churches, slumbering away the years amid quiet lanes and hedgerows. The Church of England owns the largest estate of built heritage in the country with over 12,500 Cathedrals and Churches. They tell stories of kings, battles and wars and of everyday life and contain a vast array of treasures from medieval wall paintings to original script, beautifully crafted monuments and stained glass windows. Visit some of the most spectacular and interesting Cathedrals and Churches.

Lincoln Cathedral was said to be the tallest building in the world for 238 years from 1311 to 1549 it is the third largest in Britain in floor space and sitting on top of a hill in what is a relatively flat county it can be seen for miles. York Minster is even larger and is renowned for having the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. Smaller less well known Parish Churches have a wealth of history too, the Parish Church of All Saints in Bakewell dates from Saxon times and displays Saxon carvings in the porch, as well as stone coffins (complete with drain holes!) You can also visit the Parish Church of St Michael at the village of Hathersage where it is said that Little John of Robin Hood fame is buried, you can see what is reported to be his grave. You can look for the Eyre Brassesâ€ relating to several generations of a local family since the 15th Century and who inspired Charotte Bronte to name her heroine Jane Eyre The Cathedrals and Churches of England are waiting to be explored and experienced.

The 20 Best Cathedrals In England Explore The Delights Of England The 20 Best Cathedrals In England England is home to a splendid collection of religious buildings, but none are more impressive than the cathedrals. Cathedrals are one of the largest draws for visitors. As well as hosting the weddings and funerals of the kings and queens of England , the best English cathedrals, as well as smaller churches, chapels, and crypts have been featured in famous works of art and literature as well as in popular Hollywood film franchises. Notably, the incredible Gloucester Cathedral was featured as a set in several of the Harry Potter films and is high on the list to visit for any Harry Potter fans. England’s finest churches are typically in Norman or Gothic architecture, but a few are more modern, featuring works of modern art or neoclassical architecture. Visitors may also enjoy free choral performances at several of these sites, or view important sacred and historic relics, like two of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, which turned 800 years old in 2015. These copies can be viewed at Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral.

In addition to the rich history and culture, you’ll find while visiting these important sites; the cathedrals can be a wonderful place to dine. Within the crypt, near the magnificent tombs of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, the café and restaurant at St. Paul’s Cathedral specializes in English cuisine, including locally-sourced honey from bees in Regent’s Park. We’ve assembled a list of our favorite English cathedrals–you’re sure to be fascinated by history, culture, and care taken to build and preserve these pillars of the community. The Best Cathedrals In England 1. York Minster Source We’ve featured York on this site several times before, but there’s so much to love about the place, including the Minster, which is arguably the city’s most important cultural site. Towering over the city, the former priory (minsters are actually former monasteries) can be seen from miles away and is a worthy start to our list. The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, more commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, and is one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe. 2.

Canterbury Cathedral Source Canterbury is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest office in the Church of England and the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The cathedral, which is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England, is also the scene of one of the most infamous assassinations in English history – that of Thomas Beckett by the followers of his adversary, Henry II in 1120. Aside from the cathedral, its home, the pretty town of Canterbury, is well worth strolling around. 3. Liverpool Catholic Cathedral Source As the Liverpool folk song goes: “If you want a cathedral, we’ve got one to spare…” Liverpool is home to both an Anglican and a Roman Catholic cathedral, which owes to a large Irish population. The Catholic cathedral is of modern construction and was finished in 1967 and is a proud symbol of the sectarian harmony achieved in a city with a long history of Catholic-Protestant tension. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool and features a circular, modern, yet neoclassical design. 4.

Christchurch Cathedral of Oxford Source This unusual cathedral is also part Chrischurch college founded by Cardinal Wolsey back in Henry VIII’s reign, one of the 40 or so Oxford colleges, but the only one to house a cathedral. The nave, choir, main tower, and transepts are of late Norman architecture, but the cathedral features Perpendicular style architecture and a large rose window. 5. Coventry Cathedral Coventry Cathedral has an interesting history. The original cathedral was bombed during the second world war, resulting in its near complete destruction. The community of Coventry set about building a replacement building during the 1960s, and the resulting modern design is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Definitely worth a visit. The site now contains both the hollow ruins of the medieval-era building and the modern place of worship. 6. St. Paul’s Cathedral Source The present cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth cathedral to stand on the site. The building was built between 1675 and 1710 after the previous building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The present day St.

Paul’s saw the famous wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, which was the first wedding of an heir to the throne performed in the cathedral for 480 years, with the last being the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon in 1501. 7. Durham Cathedral Source The Durham Cathedral is famous as a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Construction began in 1093 and was largely completed within 40 years, although work and restoration has been ongoing. Even today, a skilled team of craftsman continue to care for and maintain the building. The cathedral is on the Durham peninsula, high above the woodlands and riverbanks–a dramatic setting for a site that boasts some of the most intact surviving monastic buildings in England. 8. Salisbury Cathedral Source Salisbury Cathedral was completed at Old Sarum in 1092 under the first Bishop of Salisbury, and is a stunning example of early English architecture. The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom, and visitors can take the “Tower Tour” where the interior of the hollow spire, with its ancient wood scaffolding, can be viewed.

The cathedral also has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close in England and contains the world’s oldest working clock (circa 1386 AD). The cathedral also has the best of the surviving four copies of the Magna Carta. 9. Gloucester Cathedral Source Gloucester Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship continuously for over 1,300 years since Osric, an Anglo-Saxon prince, founded a religious house on the site in 678-9 AD. Since, the site and Cathedral have seen important historical figures crowned and buried. Henry III was crowned at Gloucester Cathedral, and Edward II was buried in the cathedral. Gloucester Cathedral is filled with Romanesque, English Gothic, and Gothic architecture and is a must-see ancient house of worship. 10. Winchester Cathedral Source Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. Winchester Cathedral has ancient roots; in 635 AD, Cynegils, king of the West Saxons, was baptized on the site. Later, this son Cenwalh built the first Christian church in Winchester.

The small, cross-shaped church became known as Old Minster, and visitors can still see where it stood. The site is outlined in red brick just north of the present Cathedral. 11. Ely Cathedral Source When Ely Cathedral was built, the town around it was just a small settlement. The cathedral itself has it’s origins in 672 AD, when St. Etheldreda built an abbey church. The present building dates back to 1083. Architecturally, the cathedral is outstanding due to scale and stylistic details. The most famous features is the central octagonal tower with a lantern. This creates a spectacular internal space as well as a unique exterior landmark. 12. Truro Cathedral Source Located in Cornwall, Truro Cathedral was built between 1880 and 1910 in a Gothic Revival design. It is one of only three cathedrals in England with three spires. Inside, the Father Willis Organ, built in 1887, is widely regarded as one of the finest instruments in the country. Truro Cathedral is also the first cathedral to be built on a new site in England since Salisbury Cathedral in 1220. 13.

Exeter Cathedral Source Exeter Cathedral was complete by 1400, and features an early set of misericords, an astronomical clock, and the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England. Misericords are small wooden shelves on the underside of folding seats, which were installed to provide a little comfort to a person who needed to stand for long periods of prayer. 14. Peterborough Cathedral Source Peterborough Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the three high gables of the famous West Front. The cathedral is known for its imposing early English Gothic façade. This has three enormous arches and is without architectural precedent. The exterior is slightly asymmetrical, owing to the incomplete second tower of the façade. Peterborough Cathedral is also the burial place of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife and queen of Henry VIII, and was the original burial place of Mary, Queen of Scots. 15. Norwich Cathedral Source Construction on Norwich Cathedral began in 1096, constructed originally out of flint and mortar, but aced with a cream colored Caen limestone. The cathedral was completed in 1145. The Norman lead-topped wooden spire is still visible today.

Norwich is the most complete Norman Cathedral in England and one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. In recent years, the cathedral’s popularity has soared thanks to a pair of peregrine falcons. Today, the falcon pair and their chicks remain on a nesting platform. Visitors can get an up-close view of the falcons from an observation point within the close. 16. Wells Cathedral Source The Wells Cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490, replacing an earlier church built on the same site in 705. It’s moderately sized, but has been described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and “the most poetic” of English cathedrals. In the north transept is the Wells Cathedral Clock, an astronomical clock from about 1325. This is the second oldest working clock in England. 17. Lincoln Cathedral Source The Lincoln Cathedral was built between 1088 and continued throughout the medieval period. Reputedly, it was the tallest building in the world from 1311-1549 until the central spire collapsed and was not rebuilt.

Lincoln Cathedral is also one of the few English cathedrals to be built from locally sourced stone. It also has a unique legend associated with one of its carvings: the Imp. According to the 14th-century legend, two imps were causing mayhem in the cathedral. An angel appeared and ordered them to stop, but one imp climbed a stone pillar and threw rocks at the angel. The angel turned the imp on the pillar to stone, allowing the second to escape. 18. St. Alban’s Cathedral Source The cathedral was probably founded in the 8th century, but the present building is of Norman architecture and was probably built in the 11th century. The building also shows signs of Gothic and 19th century additions. The cathedral is named for St. Alban, a Romano-British citizen living in the valley below the site of the current cathedral. He harbored a fugitive priest and was converted. When authorities came to arrest the priest, Alban allowed the priest to escape and was taken in his place. He proclaimed his new faith and was martyred.

The site of his execution became a place of pilgrimage, and the shrine dedicated to Alban, as well as some of the original relics of the saint’s body, are still within the cathedral. 19. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Source The second of Liverpool’s cathedrals is based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott, and is the longest cathedral in the world with a total external length of 207 yards. Like its Catholic counterpart, the Anglican cathedral is fairly modern, with the founding stone laid by King Edward VII in 1904 and the completion of the building attended by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978. The cathedral is home to “The Welcoming Christ”, a large bronze sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink. The sculpture was installed over the outside of the west door in 1993. 20. Southwark Cathedral Source Southwark Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than 1,000 years, but was only named a cathedral in 1905. The present building retains the basic form of the Gothic structure built between 1220 and 1420, although the nave is late 19th century.

Notably, the cathedral is home to a large stained glass window dedicated to William Shakespeare and depicts scenes from this plays. At the base of the window is an alabaster statue representing the playwright reclining and holding a quill. lincolnshire photos on Flickr | Flickr The parish church of St Botolph, internal view of the church tower. Boston is a market town and small port on the east coast of England. During the medieval period Boston was one of the most prosperous ports in England and had a thriving trade with continental Europe, the wool trade through the port brought with it wealth and Boston to this day still had some fine buildings including the parish church of St Botolph, one of the the largest parish church in England, with one of the tallest towers in England visible for miles around from the flat lands of Lincolnshire. The town received its charter from Henry VIII in 1545 and Boston had two Members of Parliament from 1552. In 1612 John Cotton became the Vicar of St Botolph's and, although viewed askance by the Church of England for his non-conformist preaching, became responsible for a large increase in Church attendance.

He encouraged those who disliked the lack of religious freedom in England to join the Massachusetts Bay Company, and later helped to found the city of Boston, Massachusetts which he was instrumental in naming. Lincoln Cathedral, view of the nave. The city of Lincoln sits on the eastern side of England approximately 140 miles north of London, the city developed from the Roman town of Lindum Colonia, which developed from an Iron Age settlement. Lincoln's major landmarks are Lincoln Cathedral, a fine example of English Gothic architecture, and Lincoln Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle. Lincoln Cathedral sits on high ground overlooking the city, building work on the cathedral commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period, originally the three towers had slate spires, the spire on the central tower reputedly made the cathedral the tallest building in the world for 238 years between 1311 and 1549 when the spire was blow off in a storm, it was never placed. The eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared: "I have always held...

that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have. The parish church of St Lawrence, view of the nave. The village of Bardney sits several miles south east of the city of Lincoln on the banks of the River Witham, the village once had a medieval abbey, an RAF station and a railway station, all these have now gone. The parish church is dedicated to St Lawrence and is situated in the centre of the village, the original parish church was sited close to the abbey, this church collapsed in 1434 and the present church was built shortly after. The monks from the abbey are reputed to have built the nave. The parish church of St Thomas Martyr, viewed from south. The village of Digby lies on the fen edge between Lincoln and Sleaford in the heart of Lincolnshire, the village church is dedicated to St Thomas Martyr (St Thomas of Canterbury) and dates back to the 11th century. Near the village is the Royal Air Force grass airfield of RAF Digby (formerly RAF Scopwick).

During the Second World War the station was home to Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons. The airfield was Canadian later in the war, as RCAF Digby Fighter Station, with the Operations Room and billets at nearby Blankney Hall, the base is still operational. Digby had its own railway station on the Lincoln to Peterborough line, but this closed to passengers on 11th September 1961. The parish church of St Mary, view of the nave. The fenland village of Swineshead sits just off the busy A17 trunk road in south Lincolnshire several miles south of Boston. The parish church is a Grade I listed building dedicated to Saint Mary, and dates from the 12th century with later additions and alterations. The chancel was rebuilt in 1848 by Stephen Lavin. The western tower and font are 14th-century. In the chancel is a black marble wall plaque to Sir John Lockton of Swineshead Abbey, who died in 1610. Swineshead Abbey was founded in 1135 as a Savigniac monastery, but in 1147 was converted to Cistercian by Robert de Gresley.

In 1536 it was dissolved and the building of a private house and a park in 1607 destroyed the last traces of it. The site is a scheduled monument. The parish church of St Laurence, view of the nave. The fenland village of Surfleet sits on the banks of the River Glen a few miles north of the market town of Spalding in south Lincolnshire. Surfleet church is dedicated to Saint Laurence and includes a 15th-century font. The church tower leans 6 feet 4 1⁄2 inches out of perpendicular. The church is situated exactly 2.5 miles between the nearby villages of Gosberton to the North and Pinchbeck to the South. The churchyard contains a gravestone in memory of a murder victim, Samuel Stockton. Stockton was lured from north-west England to Lincolnshire by a Gedney Hill farmer called Hooten in 1768. Hooten passed himself off as a preacher and brought Stockton to the Fens on the pretext of a business deal, but killed him for his money near the Common Marsh Bank.

Hooten was executed at Lincoln for the crime and hanged in a gibbet cage near where he had committed the crime. The parish church of St Helen, viewed from the south west. Brant Broughton is a large village and civil parish in the Lincolnshire district of North Kesteven. The parish church which sits to the south of the village is dedicated to St Helen, it has one of the elegant spires in the county and is 198ft high. Parts of the church date back to about 1290 though most dates back to about the late 14th century. The church was restored by the Rector, Canon Frederick Heathcote Sutton and the architect George Frederick Bodley between 1874 and 1876. Bodley rebuilt the chancel during the restoration in a grand decorated style. The parish church of St Mary, viewed from the south. The fenland village and parish of Whaplode sits in south Lincolnshire several miles east of Spalding, the village was very prosperous in the medieval period being owned by the Benedictine monks of nearby Croyland Abbey.

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary and is mainly 12th century, the impressive early gothic 12th century tower is detached from the nave and only attached to the south aisle in the south east corner, with minor alterations in the 17th and 18th century, the church was hardly touched by the Victorians and retains most of its medieval features. The parish church of St Mary, view of the nave. The market town of Long Sutton sits in the south Lincolnshire fens on the main road between Sleaford and Kings Lynn. The Friday market dates back to the early 13th century when the town was a prosperous trading centre. By the mid 14th century, it was considered to be one of the richest communities in Lincolnshire. Prosperity continued into the 20th century, helped by the arrival of the railways. In the 1950s eleven trains would daily transport passengers and local produce to and from the town. The station and line later fell under the Beaching axe and have now gone.

The large parish church dedicated to St Mary sits in the centre of the town, originally belonging to the priory at Castle Acre across the border in Norfolk it was rebuilt in the 1170's, it has a 13th century detached tower that originally rested on a set of open arches, similar to the nearby tower at West Walton, in the 18th century the open space below the tower was filled in for stability, the tower is topped with a lead spire, said to be the oldest in the country. The parish church of St Mary, view of the nave. The fenland village and parish of Whaplode sits in south Lincolnshire several miles east of Spalding, the village was very prosperous in the medieval period being owned by the Benedictine monks of nearby Croyland Abbey. The parish church is dedicated to St Mary and is mainly 12th century, the impressive early gothic 12th century tower is detached from the nave and only attached to the south aisle in the south east corner, with minor alterations in the 17th and 18th century, the church was hardly touched by the Victorians and retains most of its medieval features.

The parish church of St Thomas Martyr, viewed from south west. The village of Digby lies on the fen edge between Lincoln and Sleaford in the heart of Lincolnshire, the village church is dedicated to St Thomas Martyr (St Thomas of Canterbury) and dates back to the 11th century. Near the village is the Royal Air Force grass airfield of RAF Digby (formerly RAF Scopwick). During the Second World War the station was home to Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons. The airfield was Canadian later in the war, as RCAF Digby Fighter Station, with the Operations Room and billets at nearby Blankney Hall, the base is still operational. Digby had its own railway station on the Lincoln to Peterborough line, but this closed to passengers on 11th September 1961. Lincoln Cathedral. The city of Lincoln sits on the eastern side of England approximately 140 miles north of London, the city developed from the Roman town of Lindum Colonia, which developed from an Iron Age settlement. Lincoln's major landmarks are Lincoln Cathedral, a fine example of English Gothic architecture, and Lincoln Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle.

Lincoln Cathedral sits on high ground overlooking the city, building work on the cathedral commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period, originally the three towers had slate spires, the spire on the central tower reputedly made the cathedral the tallest building in the world for 238 years between 1311 and 1549 when the spire was blow off in a storm, it was never placed. The eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared: "I have always held... that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have. Croyland Abbey. Crowland is a small market town in the fenlands of south Lincolnshire, just south of Spalding, The town's two historical points of interest are the ruined medieval Croyland Abbey and the 14th-century three-sided Trinity bridge. A monk named Guthlac came to what was then an island in the Fens to live the life of a hermit and he dwelt at Croyland between 699 and 714.

Following in Guthlac’s footsteps, a monastic community came into being here in the 8th century. The Abbey was dissolved in 1539, the monastic buildings, including the chancel, transepts and crossing of the church appear to have been demolished fairly promptly but the nave and aisles had been used as the parish church and continue in that role to the present day. Trinity bridge is a unique three-way stone arch bridge that stands in the town centre, while it once spanned the confluence of the River Welland and a tributary, the rivers have been re-routed and it now spans nothing. The current bridge dates to the 14th century, built between 1360 and 1390, and replaced previous wooden bridges. The parish church of St Martin, detail of stained glass window. The village and civil parish of Ancaster lies on the junction of two roman roads, King Street and Ermine Street, the major Roman road heading north from London. To the northwest of Ancaster is a Roman marching camp and some 4th-century Roman earthworks are still visible.

The parish church is dedicated to St Martins (a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and later became Bishop of Tours and a saint). It dates back to the 12th century and has fine Norman arcades to the north aisle, the west tower is 14th century with a recessed spire. The church stands slightly elevated beside Ermine Street, and on the probable site of a Roman temple. 1088: Lincoln Cathedral – Lincoln, England | History of Innovation 1088: Lincoln Cathedral – Lincoln, England Year: 1088 By: Bishop Remigius The Lincoln Cathedral began its construction in the year 1088 and was completed in 1311. The cathedral was the tallest building in the world for 238 years at a height of 525 feet from 1311-1549 until its central spire blew down during a storm. The spire was never reconstructed and presently the cathedral stands at a height of 484 feet. In order to construct the cathedral many architectural advancements of the time had to be implemented into its design.

Pointed arches, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting were all used to support the large windows of the building. The shape of the cathedral is a cross with the entrance being at the west and the altar being at the east. Its design and appearance follows the Early English Gothic style cathedrals and is made primarily of stone. Currently around $1.6 million is spent on the upkeep of the cathedral.

Question: Which English cathedral was the world's tallest building between 1311 and 1549?
Answer: Lincoln