🏰 Durham Castle and Cathedral
Norman stronghold and spiritual centre on the River Wear
📋 Fast Facts
- UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed 1986
- Cathedral begun 1093; castle built soon after Norman Conquest
- Occupied peninsula above River Wear in northeast England
- Durham Castle part of Durham University since 1832; cathedral remains active place of worship
Durham Castle and Cathedral stand on a rocky promontory above the River Wear in northeast England. The site was established in 995 CE as both a defensive stronghold and spiritual centre for the community guarding the relics of Saint Cuthbert. The cathedral, begun in 1093 under Bishop William of St. Calais, represents one of the finest examples of Norman Romanesque architecture in Europe. The adjacent castle, built by the Normans following their 1066 conquest of England, served as fortress and ...