Liverpool Cathedral

Standing majestically in front of you is the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, you can’t miss it. It’s the biggest cathedral in the UK! The cathedral covers an area of 9,687m², filled with religious art treasures. Liverpool’s cathedral is a youngster compared to its European cousins built during the famous cathedral era. In 1901, the bishop at the time and the city council decided to give the people of Liverpool a new cathedral worthy of their Anglican faith. Although the Diocese of Liverpool had existed since its separation from the Diocese of Chester in 1878, it was St Peter’s Church that took on the role of headquaters in the meantime. A major architectural competition was launched, and against all the odds it was a young, inexperienced 22-year-old Catholic who won. The name Gilles Gilbert Scott may not ring a bell, but if I tell you that he was the inventor of the famous red English telephone box, you’ll know right away! Liverpool Cathedral and the English telephone box were the brainchild of the same person. The foundation stone was laid in 1902 by King Edward VII and it was inaugurated 76 years later by Queen Elizabeth II. Needless to say, the construction work was slowed down by two World Wars. However, the record-breaking cathedral stands before you, proud and sober. Quick facts and figures… It is 189 metres long, 60 metres wide and 101 metres high. That’s 60 metres longer than Notre-Dame de Paris, for example. 1700m² of stained glass windows fill the interior with light. Powerful music blares from the main organ, which has 10,268 pipes – the largest in England and one of the most powerful in the world. The carillon, made up of 13 bells weighing a total of 31 tonnes, is also the heaviest in the world. In other words, to appreciate all this, there’s nothing like getting lost in the immensity of this magnificent monument’s interior. You’ll probably feel like a tiny little thing in the immensity of this building, and perhaps that’s the whole point: to plunge into an inner journey and become humble once again in the face of the mysteries of the world. However, the introspection doesn’t last, because the sanctuary also features a gigantic cafeteria and a large souvenir shop, all in that unique Anglo-Saxon style. For an extra fee, you can also climb the cathedral’s highest tower and enjoy a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Liverpool.