stained glass – Anthony's Literary Lens

**Centuries in the making**
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Hereford Cathedral is a beautiful and historic building located in the city of Hereford, England. The cathedral dates back to the 7th century, with the current building having been built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It is surrounded by lush green gardens and ancient trees and the river Wye is nearby which is beautiful to walk along.

One of the most striking features of the cathedral is its central tower, which rises to a height of nearly 200 feet. The tower is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and is a prominent feature of the city’s skyline. As can be seen in this photo, the cathedral is particularly beautiful in mist, when the ancient stones seem to glow in the soft light.

Hereford Cathedral is home to several important and unique artifacts that are worth seeing. The most notable is the Mappa Mundi, a mediaeval map of the world that is considered one of the greatest treasures of the cathedral. The map is made on vellum and dates back to the 13th century. It is a large circular map, measuring 1.58 metres in diameter, and it is considered one of the finest examples of mediaeval cartography in the world. The Mappa Mundi is a unique representation of the mediaeval worldview and it is richly illustrated with illustrations of people, animals, and monsters from around the world.

Amongst the renowned mediaeval chained library is the Hereford Gospels, which is a 10th-century illuminated manuscript of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The manuscript is considered to be one of the finest examples of Anglo-Saxon calligraphy and illustration.

The cathedral also has a significant collection of medieval stained glass windows, many of which have been restored and are on display. The windows depict scenes from the Bible and from the lives of the saints.

Additionally, there are several tombs and monuments that are worth seeing, including the tomb of St. Thomas de Cantilupe, who was the Bishop of Hereford in the 13th century and was canonized in 1320. The tomb is made of alabaster and is considered to be one of the finest examples of medieval sculpture in England.

Hereford Cathedral is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, art, and architecture. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit and is open to the public year-round.