description Lincoln Cathedral Overview
Lincoln Cathedral showcases a magnificent progression through Gothic styles, particularly renowned for its complex and beautiful vaulting schemes. The nave vaulting is a technical marvel, demonstrating sophisticated rib patterns. It represents a powerful, enduring English Gothic tradition, balancing monumental scale with intricate stone detailing across its various additions.
help Lincoln Cathedral FAQ
Was Lincoln Cathedral ever the tallest building in the world?
Yes. Its central tower spire, completed in 1311, made it the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Great Pyramid of Giza. It held the record until the spire collapsed in 1549.
What is the 'crazy vault' visitors talk about at Lincoln Cathedral?
It is the strikingly asymmetrical high vault of St Hugh's Choir, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1185. Its off-axis ribs and carved bosses create a deliberately irregular pattern unlike most English Gothic vaulting.
Does Lincoln Cathedral hold a copy of the Magna Carta?
The cathedral owns one of only four surviving originals of the 1215 Magna Carta, which is displayed nearby at Lincoln Castle. Lincoln is also associated with a 1217 reissue, making it one of the most important Magna Carta sites in England.
Has Lincoln Cathedral been used as a filming location?
Yes. It famously doubled for Westminster Abbey in the 2005 film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, after Westminster declined to host the production. Its dramatic Gothic interior has attracted other film and TV crews since.
explore Explore More
Similar to Lincoln Cathedral
compare_arrows Compare: Durham Cathedral (Romanesque... See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
