Photographs of the Octagonal Tower in Ely Cathedral
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When the central tower of the Cathedral collapsed in 1322,
Alan of Walsingham designed a central tower that seems to float
unsupported above the centre of Ely Cathedral. This central octagon rises from the
whole breadth of the building and towers up until its roof, a wooden lantern,
forms the only Gothic dome in existence.
The lantern is supported on eight large stone piers formed out of the
first pairs of piers of the nave, transepts and choir. Above this,
the superstructure is made of timber, although it was carved and
painted to look like stone. The pillars support a total weight of
some 400 tons of wood and lead.
