Ely Cathedral, located in Cambridgeshire, England
Ely Cathedral, often called the “Ship of the Fens,” rises majestically from the flat landscape of Cambridgeshire and has stood as a beacon of faith and architecture for nearly a thousand years. Its story begins in the 7th century with Saint Etheldreda, a Saxon princess who renounced royal life to found a monastery at Ely in 673 AD. Revered for her piety and healing, she became a saint after her death, and her shrine turned Ely into a pilgrimage site. Though the original monastery was destroyed by Viking raids, it was revived by the Benedictines in 970, and in 1083 construction of the current cathedral began under Abbot Simeon. This Norman masterpiece features a massive nave with soaring arches and sturdy columns that speak to the grandeur of Romanesque design.
A disaster in 1322 gave rise to Ely’s most iconic feature: its unique octagonal lantern tower. After the central tower collapsed, the cathedral’s visionary sacrist, Alan of Walsingham, designed an innovative solution – an octagon supported by eight massive pillars and crowned with a timber lantern that allows sunlight to flood the space below. The result was a groundbreaking architectural achievement that remains unmatched in medieval Europe. Inside, the cathedral is filled with light and awe. Its painted ceilings, intricately carved choir stalls, and the spacious, elegant Lady Chapel – the largest in England – all contribute to the sense of spiritual and artistic magnificence.
Ely Cathedral is also a place of memory and honor. Saint Etheldreda’s presence lingers in spirit, although her original shrine was destroyed during the Reformation. Among other notable figures connected to the cathedral is Sir Mark Steward, a 16th-century judge and Member of Parliament, whose lineage ties into the powerful Stuart family. Over the centuries, bishops, monks, nobles, and faithful pilgrims have found their final resting place within its sacred walls.
Today, Ely Cathedral remains an active hub of worship, music, and heritage. Its bells ring out over the Fens, its choirs fill the nave with song, and visitors from all over the world come to experience its grandeur. Whether drawn by history, architecture, or faith, all who enter Ely Cathedral are touched by the centuries of devotion and human artistry that shaped this extraordinary monument.
