St Michael's Cathedral & Ruins

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  • free, suggested donation for new cathedral: £3.50
  • 09:00-17:00, 09:00-17:00

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Lonely Planet review

The pretty cathedral quarter is historically the richest part of the city. The wonderfully evocative cathedral ruins of St Michael's Church Cathedral, destroyed by Nazi incendiary bombs in the blitz of 14 November 1940, still stand as a permanent memorial. The 180 steps of its Gothic spire can be climbed for some panoramic views.

Sir Basil Spence built the 1962 St Michael's Cathedral alongside its destroyed namesake, and kept the WWII ruins intact as a symbol of peace. His modern, almost Gothic masterpiece includes a giant Graham Sutherland tapestry of Christ and a towering etched glass front. Outside, look out for the Jacob Epstein statue of St Michael conquering the devil.