A Millennium of Architecture: Ten Essential Landmarks in Oxford
The architectural history of Oxford stretches from the Anglo-Saxon period to the mid-20th century. Established by Saxons in the 8th century, the city emerged as an academic hub by the 11th century. The earliest structure, St. Michael at the North Gate, was constructed between 1000-1050 AD. Oxford Castle, erected by Robert D'Oyly from 1071 to 1073, functioned as a prison until 1986. Christ Church Cathedral is home to the Becket Window, created in 1320. Merton College Chapel, which began construction in 1290, held its inaugural Roman Catholic Mass in 1967. The late 15th-century Divinity School served as a filming site for Harry Potter. Founded in 1602, the Bodleian Library is the second-largest in Britain, while St Catherine's College, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1962, reflects Danish modernism.
Key facts
- Oxford's architecture spans 1,000 years from Saxon times to 1962.
- St. Michael at the North Gate is the oldest building in Oxford, built 1000–1050 AD.
- Oxford Castle was constructed 1071–1073 by Robert D'Oyly and served as a prison until 1986.
- Christ Church Cathedral is the only building in the Church of England serving as both cathedral and college chapel.
- The Divinity School's ceiling includes 455 carved bosses designed by William Orchard.
- The Sheldonian Theatre (1669) features an innovative truss roof by Christopher Wren.
- The Radcliffe Camera (1749) is a circular library funded by John Radcliffe and built by James Gibbs.
- St Catherine's College (1962) was designed by Arne Jacobsen with Grade I listed gardens.
Entities
Artists
- Arne Jacobsen
- Christopher Wren
- James Gibbs
- William Orchard
- Robert Streater
- Edward Burne-Jones
- Henry Acland
- John Ruskin
- Robert D'Oyly
- William the Conqueror
- Robert D'Oyly the younger
- Empress Matilda
- King Stephen
- King Henry III
- Cardinal Wolsey
- Henry VIII
- Thomas Becket
- Geoffrey of Monmouth
- Charles I
- Sir Francis Drake
- Sir Thomas Bodley
- Gilbert Sheldon
- John Radcliffe
- Charles Darwin
- Aristotle
- Galileo Galilei
- Isaac Newton
- Carl Linnaeus
- Thomas Huxley
- Samuel Wilberforce
- St. Frideswide
Institutions
- University of Oxford
- Merton College
- Christ Church College
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Bodleian Library
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History
- St Catherine's College
- All Souls College
- British Library
- Stationers' Company
- Church of England
- Malmaison Hotel
Locations
- Oxford
- United Kingdom
- Broad Street
- Cornmarket Street
- Ship Street
- St Aldate's
- Radcliffe Square
- Catte Street
- Brasenose Lane
- Parks Road
- Manor Road
- Oxford Castle Quarter
- Paradise Street
- Rome
- Italy
- London
- England