Pillars
Durham was among the first medieval monasteries in England to display such amazing decorative details.
The cathedral is home to many examples of Romanesque architecture, a medieval design, brought over to England from France by the Normans.
Did you know?
Built between 1093 - 1133 the Nave’s giant stone pillars make two lines east to west that separates the aisles. They are an impressive 6.6 meters round and 6.6 meters high.
The cylindrical pillars have interesting deep carvings. There are diamond shapes, chevron patterns that look like zig-zags, spirals, and vertical fluting patterns. It's likely they were originally colourfully painted. The spirals, which are found on pillars closer to the High Altar, represent the prayers of worshippers rising up to the heavens.
Things to look for
Spotting Norman Romanesque design
This design of medieval architecture features rounded, semi-circular arches.
In Durham the cylindrical pillars don’t help to support the complex arches of the ceiling, they are more for decoration. In fact, the pillars are hollow inside and may contain bits of rubble from the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
Jumieges Abbey in Normandy probably influenced Durham's design. Many small pillars in Romanesque architecture have elaborate surface decoration. The use of it on great pillars, like the ones here was innovative and inspired many later designs.
Interesting facts
Stonemason stories
Details on the pillars suggest that the masons who carved them also worked on Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, north of Durham. As it was being built around the same time, many considered it a smaller 'taster' of this building.
Throughout the Nave, small masons' marks indicate which master mason was responsible for which section. These special marks have been found on cathedrals all around Europe.
To clear up the old rubble on the site, the medieval builders of Durham Cathedral stored it inside the pillars, where it still remains today!
Follow the guided tour
You’re in: The Nave You’re at: Pillars Next stop: The Miners' Memorial
- Turn to your right and walk towards the glass lobby
- Look to the left of the lobby and you will see a large dark wooden object
- This is the Miners' Memorial. Walk towards this Memorial