Tuesday, July 18, 2017

St. Andrews Cathedral St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

While in St. Andrews in September 2016 my fiancé and I visited the St. Andrews Cathedral.

The entrance to St. Andrews Cathedral is 5 GBP (ca. 5.70 Euro or ca. 6.45 USD), but the graveyard and ruins can be explored free of charge. Tickets can be bought online.

The cathedral was a major place for worship, pilgrimage and religious learning. It all started with the legend that St. Rules (St. Regulus) was ship wrecked off the Scottish coast. He fled Greece, because he had heard rumors emperor Constantine wanted to steal St. Andrew's relics.

The construction of the cathedral started ca. 1160 and continued for more than 150 years. The cathedral was finally dedicated in 1318 in the presence of Robert The Bruce.

St. Andrews Cathedral fell into ruin due to the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century.

Even if there are only ruins left the descriptions leave a clear picture what the building must have looked like and 
what the specific part was used for.

In the graveyard we found the gravesites of Allen Robertson, Tom and Tommy Morris, but there are many professors, writers and other famous people resting there too as we found out during our visit.

We enjoyed the location, we could learn/explore a lot and the atmosphere is fascinating and would return again.

Of note, the University of St. Andrews and St. Andrews Castle are pretty much nearby too.
 
 
©2017

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