Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Round Church)

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Bridge Street — known as the Round Church — is one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge, dating from around 1130 in its original core. It is one of only four surviving Norman round churches in England, built by a fraternity of Crusaders in conscious imitation of the church in Jerusalem that marks the site of Christ's burial.

The round nave retains its Norman structure, with heavy cylindrical pillars and zigzag decoration characteristic of the period. The rest of the church was substantially rebuilt by the Victorians. It now operates as a heritage and visitor centre for Historic England. Open Tuesday to Sunday; small admission charge.

things to do sight architecture
A story
The Round Church is one of only four surviving Norman round churches in England, built around 1130 by the Fraternity of the Holy Sepulchre in deliberate imitation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Crusader-era fraternity that built it no longer exists; the church passed through various owners and fell into disrepair before being heavily restored in the 19th century. The round nave is original; almost everything else is Victorian.

Other places in Things to Do