It has stood the test of time – built following the Norman central tower collapsed in 1322 – and for hundreds of years the Octagon at Ely Cathedral inspires, delights and astounds visitors and worshipper.
The Octagon’s internal height is 142 feet (43m), and its total weight is 400 tons. A masterpiece of medieval engineering, it took 18 years to build. In the centre John of Burwell (a village south-east of Ely) carved Christ in majesty, ruling over all. A modern sculpture on the same theme by Peter Ball, the second of Ely’s millennium sculptures, Christ in Glory (2000), is displayed above the pulpit.
And it was The Octagon that inspired photographer Ben Keating.
He describes himself also as an ‘artist, bell ringer (learner), fan of music, art and motorsport’ but it was his photo of the Octagon that has proven to be a Twitter sensation.
“It is accessible on a standard tour of the Octagon, went on a Sunday, £8 for a ticket,” he told one Twitter follower who inquired about his close up shot.
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