Durham Cathedral in its present form dates back to the Norman era with its construction started in 1093 under Bishop William of St Calais, and being substantially completed over the next 40 years.
Founded as a monastic cathedral, it was built to house the shrine of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, replacing the White Church, the city’s previous Anglo-Saxon church constructed in his honour.
Subsequent additions include the Gothic-style Chapel of the Nine Altars built in the 13th century, the Western Towers added in the 12th and 13th centuries, and the 15th-century Central Tower.
