Durham Castle is a medieval Norman fortress, standing over a bend in the River Wear in the English city of Durham. The castle was built in the second half of the 11th century to protect the northern part of the country from the invading Scottish troops and served as the residence of the prince-bishops of Durham. In 1986, along with the majestic Durham Cathedral, the ancient castle was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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| Durham Castle |
General Information
Durham Castle has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. Its role as a fortification gradually faded away, and all the reconstructions were aimed at demonstrating the power and wealth of the Durham bishops. Fragments of buildings of the XI-XII centuries have survived to this day. They can be seen in the Norman chapel and in the northern part of the castle.
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| Durham Castle |
Today, the ancient fortress belongs to Durham University. It contains unique works of art from the collections of bishops. These are paintings, watercolors, and engravings depicting the landscapes of Durham, the city cathedral, and portraits of university students. The castle exhibits sculptures made of marble, plaster, and terracotta, rich collections of silverware, ceramics, and glassware, Flemish tapestries of the 17th century, antique furniture, ancient armor, and weapons.
Tourists
Visitors can enter the fortress daily. Durham Castle tours run at 1:15 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, and 4:15 PM. During student holidays, excursions are additionally held at 10:15, 11:15, and 12:15. A ticket for adults costs £5, seniors (over 65 years old) and children over 5 years old - £4, family tickets - £15. Children under the age of 5 can visit Durham Castle for free. There is a small souvenir shop in the fortress.
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| Durham Castle |
History of Durham Castle
Shortly after the Norman conquest of the English territories, the new masters wanted to secure their northern borders. In 1072, William I the Conqueror ordered the construction of a powerful fortress in the new possessions. For a long time, the prince-bishops of Durham, who were appointed by the king himself, lived in it. Archaeological research suggests that already in the 11th century, most of the fortifications were made of stone.
At the beginning of the 14th century, Bishop Anthony Beck reconstructed the old fortress. By his order, a front hall more than 30 meters long appeared inside the main building. At that time it was one of the largest halls in the country.
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| Durham Castle |
Then the prince-bishops began to appear in Durham Castle less and less. In 1832, a university was founded in Durham, and five years later the castle and its two chapels were transferred to university needs. The talented architect Ethnoni Selvin rebuilt the keep of the fortress, making living rooms for students in it.
How to get there
Durham Castle is located in the northeast of Great Britain, in the main city of County Durham. It towers over the Framwellgate Bridge, a 10-minute walk from Durham train station and a 6-minute walk from the city's bus station. The nearest public transport stop "Prince Bishops Shopping Center" is located 200 meters from the castle.