The thumbnails below are linked to larger pictures
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Due principally to Canterbury's strategic position on the intersection of the main route from the Kent coast with the River Stour, it has been the location of a settlement from as far back as the Romans in AD43, when a Roman Town called Durovernum was located at the centre of the present city.
Now over 2,000 years later several million visitors each year visit the city to view the spectacular Norman Cathedral which at 557 feet high dominates the skyline. Canterbury is less than 1 Mile in diameter, which makes it easy to explore on foot, the ancient city streets, as well as the bustling pedestrianised high street and view the numerous visitor attractions, including many museums and gardens, shopping facilities, pubs and restaurants.
Canterbury was where Christianity first
arrived in England, when in 597 Pope Gregory of Rome sent Augustine to England
to reconvert the English to Christianity. Ethelbert, King of Kent, granted land
outside the city walls to build a monastery, and in 598 work began on what is
now the oldest monastic site in Britain. Some 600 years later in 1170, this was also where Archbishop Thomas Becket was martyred by four Norman Knights, following a battle for power between the monarch and the church and his death led to pilgrimages to Canterbury from all over England and Europe. Chaucer's famous pilgrims ended their journey here and their tales are brought to life in the Canterbury Tales visitor attraction.
The original Cathedral building and later Saxon replacements have all been lost to view - their remains are hidden under the present Cathedral. The building which you see today dates from 1070 at the earliest, just after the Norman Conquest (1066). The most recent part dates from 1500.
I found a great similarity between Canterbury and my favorite city of York, both being historical walled cities dominated by a cathedral.
| *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information* |
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Pictures of the Roman Museum The Roman Museum is underground at the level of the Roman town of Durovernum Cantiacorum, which flourished for almost 400 years where Canturbury stands today. The museum is an interesting mix of excavated real objects: authentic reconstructions; and preserved remains of a Roman town house with its famous mosaics and hypocaust room . Reconstructions include a Roman market place, with a shoe maker, fabric seller and fruit and vegetable stall. There is also part of a house with its kitchen set out in authentic detail. |
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