Ceiling is Believing at Peterborough Cathedral

April 7, 2021

Peterborough Cathedral tour guide Mark Short is to give an introduction to the magnificent medieval nave ceiling, focussing on its miraculous survival across the centuries.

The 13th century centrepiece of the Cathedral nave features a rich tapestry of historic characters set alongside eccentric and unexpected imagery. Mark will recount into how the UK’s oldest surviving wooden ceiling of its age escaped the ravages of the Civil War, the overhead threat of the German Luftwaffe as well as the infamous 21st century fire.

The 210-foot long structure, constructed with the finest German Oak and completed around 1250, remains one of the most intriguing achievements of medieval artistry.

Mark’s 40-minute presentation on Thursday 22 April at 7.30pm, and repeated on Saturday 24 April at 4.00pm, is one of a number of talks that are being hosted online by the Cathedral this year. The talk will be followed by an opportunity for ticket-holders to ask questions.

“It’s going to be a pleasure to share my enthusiasm for a special part of our wonderful building that always seems to capture the imagination of our visitors when they first come inside this place”, said Mark. “It’s unique and it’s in remarkable condition thanks to a concerted amount of careful restoration and enables us to rejoice in it.”

Tickets for the online talk are £5.00 and may be booked online via the Cathedral website > https://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/143/section.aspx/142/nave_ceiling
A Zoom link will be sent to ticket holders just before the talk.

Other online talks in the series include ‘St Oswald’s Right Arm’ on 20 May and ‘Oliver Cromwell’s Infamous Visit to Peterborough’ on 12 July.