MonasterySt Magnus Cathedral

out of 100 points
based on 4 reviews
No. 1 out of 1 Church / Cathedral / Monastery in Kirkwall

OverviewReviewsPhotos Web links

Photos Church / Cathedral / Monastery St Magnus Cathedral All photos

ReviewAll reviews

out of 100
Overall rating includes:
90
Accessibility
98
"Must See"-Factor
100
Budget Friendliness
100
Ambiance
100
Architecture

Address Broad Street
Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland
KW15 1NX

Telephone: +44(1856)874894

Websites

Official Homepage
Hotels nearby

Surroundings

Orkney Wireless Museum
(0.2 miles)
Northlink Ferries
(0.2 miles)
Explorer Fast Sea Charters
(0.3 miles)
Highland Park Distillery
(1.1 miles)
Kirkwall Airport
(2.8 miles)

External reviews Church / Cathedral / Monastery St Magnus CathedralAll external reviews

_Other offline-travelg uide

100%

perfection!

It was the Cathedral of St Magnus that helped Kirkwall reach "prominence and city-status" in the 12th century and become the "capital" of Orkney. Within "easy reach of the harbour", this is a "massive" construction of "early Norman" style and "built into the great piers" in the central bay are the remains of "both its founder and its saint". To the author, it seemed "almost surprising" to find such a "magnificent Gothic structure" in such a small town, but in many ways, he felt that was "a true picture" of a medieval cathedral city. He compares the small houses that surround the cathedral [more]

Rough Guide Guide

80%

perfection!

St Magnus Cathedral is the "most compelling sight" in Kirkwall, a "beautiful red sandstone" structure started in 1137 in honour of Earl Rognvald's uncle Magnus who was the object of a cult as his grave was meant to have "miraculous powers". Today's cathedral has been "added to over the centuries" to become the "immensely impressive building" we see today, reminiscent of "the great cathedrals of Europe", despite being "badly eroded" in places. Inside, a "surprisingly intimate" ambiance reigns. ("Rough Guide to Britain"; Page 1071; Published 2000. ISBN 1-85828-513-5)