Wolvesey Castle, Winchester (must see)
Wolvesey Castle, also known as the "Old Bishop's Palace," stands as a historic ruin initially constructed as the official residence of 脝thelwold of Winchester, the Bishop of Winchester, around 970. The building site, initially an eyot in the River Itchen, known as Wulveseye or Wulf's island, became the foundation for this bishop's palace. Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester, expanded and developed the castle primarily between 1135 and 1171.
The castle's varied history includes construction modifications and, in 1684, a new palace in the baroque style was built to the south. However, much of it was later demolished, leaving only the west wing. Over time, the remaining structure found itself repurposed for various uses. Subsequent restoration efforts in 1926 refurbished part of the structure for the bishop's residence.
The chapel, an essential part of the medieval castle's south range, remains intact and is still in active use, attached to the palace. The extensive ruins are currently under the care and ownership of English Heritage and have held Grade I listed status since March 24, 1950. While sections of the curtain wall remain, much of the castle's internal structures are gone, although traces of the hall, displaying a well-preserved round arch and a surviving Norman window, can still be identified.
Situated close to the city walls, some sections of which are still standing, Wolvesey Castle stands as a fascinating piece of Winchester's history, illustrating a compelling narrative of the region's past.
The castle's varied history includes construction modifications and, in 1684, a new palace in the baroque style was built to the south. However, much of it was later demolished, leaving only the west wing. Over time, the remaining structure found itself repurposed for various uses. Subsequent restoration efforts in 1926 refurbished part of the structure for the bishop's residence.
The chapel, an essential part of the medieval castle's south range, remains intact and is still in active use, attached to the palace. The extensive ruins are currently under the care and ownership of English Heritage and have held Grade I listed status since March 24, 1950. While sections of the curtain wall remain, much of the castle's internal structures are gone, although traces of the hall, displaying a well-preserved round arch and a surviving Norman window, can still be identified.
Situated close to the city walls, some sections of which are still standing, Wolvesey Castle stands as a fascinating piece of Winchester's history, illustrating a compelling narrative of the region's past.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Winchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Wolvesey Castle on Map
Sight Name: Wolvesey Castle
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Winchester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Winchester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Winchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Winchester Cathedral Close Walk
Winchester Cathedral, originally built in 1079, is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It contains much fine architecture spanning the 11th to the 16th centuries and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex), and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus. It was once an important... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Winchester's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Are you an explorer at heart and with a keen interest in history? If you answer yes to both of these and happen to be in Winchester, Hampshire, then you've hit the right spot! There are several historical locations in town, including time-honored buildings, monuments, and palaces, through which you can learn much about its glorious past.
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Winchester Introduction Walking Tour
Winchester, the county town of Hampshire, England, is a charming place with a great deal of history.
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles