| Salisbury was initially organized in the historic 11th | | | | a clear set of rules and rights for citizens and |
| century, as Viking raids on Wilton driven individuals | | | | persons. Effectively, UK law was officially born. |
| to where the town is now. Officially Salisbury was | | | | Also worth a visit is the Cathedral Close - which |
| founded in 1217 - a couple of years later the | | | | contains numerous historic buildings and was built |
| town held an annual fair and had it's own | | | | up over time alongside the Cathedral to be a |
| marketplace. It was presented a charter (an | | | | component of it. The Cathedral Close was fenced |
| official settlement status where the people were | | | | in during 1333. Part of Cathedral Close is The |
| presented certain rights) a few years later on (in | | | | Kings House which was built up by the Abbots of |
| 1227). | | | | Sherbourne. Likewise part of the Cathedral Close |
| Salisbury's gem in the crown is the impressive | | | | is Mompesson House, constructed in the 1701 by |
| Cathedral, established between 1220 and 1258. | | | | Sir Thomas Mompesson. Other landmarks of note |
| The Cathedral has continued for the most part | | | | within the Cathedral Close are Bishops Place, |
| undisturbed throughout the centuries, with the | | | | Malmesbury House and St Ann's Gate. |
| exception of the addition of the soaring steeple - | | | | Close to Salisbury Cathedral is the stunning St |
| which at 404 feet is the tallest in England. The | | | | Thomas Church, dating back to the twelfth |
| spire was added to the Cathedral in 1315, though | | | | century. One of the most scenic characteristics of |
| work only initially began in 1285. | | | | this parish church is the Doom Painting over the |
| Because of Salisbury's strategic location (it was en | | | | chancel arch which must not be left out. While the |
| route to both London, Exeter & | | | | church itself was constructed around 1220, the |
| Southampton) the town rapidly flourished - the | | | | painting itself was completed in 1475. |
| wool fabric trade being it's major source of | | | | Any vacation or short trip to Wiltshire must |
| repute and income in the middle ages. In 1220, | | | | include Stonehenge. It's one of the most historical |
| construction began on Salisbury Cathedral although | | | | landmarks of England and it's mien has captivated |
| it was not completed for a further 38 years. | | | | visitors from all around the world for decades. |
| Another renowned Salisbury landmark, | | | | Maybe, one of the reasons why Stonehenge has |
| Mompesson House, was established in 1701, and | | | | such appealingness is it's secret - because while |
| Salisbury museum was instituted in 1860. The first | | | | there has been a plenty of speculation on what it |
| cinema was developed in the early 19th century. | | | | is and who developed it...not one knows quite for |
| Now, as you might anticipate, tourism is the main | | | | sure. |
| "business" for Salisbury with it's interesting | | | | Many say that Stonehenge is an historical |
| landmarks and scenic old English village feel. | | | | synagogue, others articulate a burial site, and |
| In actual fact, Salisbury Cathedral was first | | | | there are as well those that believe it was initially |
| constituted at a different location - on a hill named | | | | constructed as a kind of observation tower. We'll |
| Old Sarum (which is a few miles north of where | | | | in all probability never know which of these is true. |
| Salisbury is now). Unfortunately, shortly after the | | | | Nowadays, you can visit Stonehenge but since |
| first Cathedral was developed in 1092, it was | | | | 1978 the main stone area has been cordoned off |
| razed and destroyed by severe lightening. | | | | because visitor interaction was damaging the |
| Salisbury Cathedral has various fascinating | | | | stones. You can nevertheless get really close to it |
| artefacts, tombs and monuments to savor. There | | | | though. This ring of historical stones is reckoned |
| is a advised donation to get in, but it's well worth | | | | to date back 5,000 years - which makes it all the |
| the gift and your funds will assist contribute | | | | more incredible that a structure like this could |
| towards the upkeep of the Cathedral. | | | | have been assembled so long ago. It would have |
| One of the highlights of the Cathedral is the | | | | taken a lot of time, organization and manual labour |
| worlds oldest operational clock, which dates back | | | | to construct it. |
| as far as 1386. Don't anticipate anything that looks | | | | In fact, it's thought that Stonehenge was made |
| like a clock as you know it. | | | | over a 1,500 year period (starting as early as |
| There are some tombs of interest within the | | | | 3,000 BC). It's thought that the rocks were |
| Cathedral - the Tomb of St Osmund, (the second | | | | purchased from Wales (Prescelly Mountains) which |
| Bishop of Old Sarum) and Tomb of William dr | | | | lies 240 mis to the west of Salisbury. Every stone |
| Longespee (a general who perished in the | | | | would have weighed 4 tons, and would most |
| Crusades). Situated in the south choir aisle is the | | | | probably have been pulled by roller and sledge |
| Tomb of the Earl of Hertford. Close is | | | | from Wales to Milford Haven, from which place |
| Mompesson Tomb - exemplifying Sir Richard | | | | they would have been loaded onto boats which |
| Mompesson and his wife, Lady Katherine,. | | | | would navigate towards Somerset. From here, |
| The oldest part of the place is the Trinity Chapel | | | | they would have been transported on land again |
| (which used to be recognised as Lady Chapel). For | | | | to their intended position in Salisbury. |
| a little inspiration, visit the Carta House which | | | | The admission price to see Stonehenge is well |
| houses one of the four remaining Magna Carta | | | | worth it, and includes an audio-guide. There are |
| scribes - maybe the most influential and important | | | | also some sensational views of the Wiltshire |
| legal document in Englands history. The Magna | | | | countryside from here. |
| Carta was issued by King John in 1215 and put out | | | | |