Norwich 12
Encyclopedia
Norwich 12 is an initiative by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) to develop 12 of Norwich's
most iconic buildings into an integrated family of heritage
attractions which act as an internationally important showcase of English urban and cultural development over the last 1,000 years.
Norwich HEART initially secured £1 million from HM Treasury's
Invest to Save Budget to run this pioneering heritage concept.
The 12 buildings are the finest collection of individually outstanding buildings from the Norman
, medieval, Georgian
, Victorian
and modern eras.
All 12 can be explored by means of guided walks and tours, exhibitions and music/performances at the venues, or via heritage interpretation leaflets, signage, websites and guide books.
and Ghent
- is a new tourism
initiative, also coordinated by Norwich HEART, that links together the Norwich 12 buildings, with 12 heritage sites in Ghent in Belgium.
The project seeks to increase awareness of the longstanding historical links between the East of England
and the Low Countries
.
The SHAPING 24 project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund from the European Union's INTERREG IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeeen Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
.
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
most iconic buildings into an integrated family of heritage
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
attractions which act as an internationally important showcase of English urban and cultural development over the last 1,000 years.
Norwich HEART initially secured £1 million from HM Treasury's
HM Treasury
HM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy...
Invest to Save Budget to run this pioneering heritage concept.
The 12 buildings are the finest collection of individually outstanding buildings from the Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, medieval, Georgian
Georgian era
The Georgian era is a period of British history which takes its name from, and is normally defined as spanning the reigns of, the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain : George I, George II, George III and George IV...
, Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and modern eras.
Norwich Castle (1067-1075)
- Architecturally the most ambitious secular NormanNormansThe Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
building in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
-
- Norwich Castle was built as a royal palace for William the Conqueror at a time when most buildings were small, wooden structures. The huge stone keep was a symbol of the king's power.
-
- The Castle mound (motte) is the largest in the country, and from the 14th to 19th century the keep was used as a county gaol.
-
- The Castle was converted into a museumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
in 1894.
- The Castle was converted into a museum
Norwich Cathedral (1096-1145)
- An iconic NormanNorman architectureAbout|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
cathedral and one of the most complete RomanesqueRomanesque architectureRomanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
buildings in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
-
- Most of Norwich Cathedral's Norman architectureNorman architectureAbout|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
is still intact and it forms one of the finest examples of the RomanesqueRomanesque architectureRomanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
style in Europe. Like the Castle, the Cathedral's awe-inspiring scale signified the power and permanence of the Norman invaders.
- Most of Norwich Cathedral's Norman architecture
-
- Caen stoneCaen stoneCaen stone or Pierre de Caen, is a light creamy-yellow Jurassic limestone quarried in northwestern France near the city of Caen.The limestone is a fine grained oolitic limestone formed in shallow water lagoons in the Bathonian Age about 167 million years ago...
was transported from NormandyNormandyNormandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
and the immense building project required an army of masons, craftsmen, glaziers and laborers. Some of the original Norman wall painting survives in the Cathedral's Jesus Chapel and the presbyteryRectoryA rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
.
- Caen stone
-
- Norwich Cathedral has the highest NormanNorman architectureAbout|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
tower (40 metres) and largest monastic cloisters in England, as well as a unique and world-renowned collection of medieval roof carvings.
- Norwich Cathedral has the highest Norman
-
- A new Hostry Visitor and Education Centre, built within the footprint of the medieval Hostry, opened in 2009.
The Great Hospital (1249)
- An exceptional set of medieval hospital buildings, in continuous use for more than 750 years.
-
- Norwich's Great Hospital has been in continuous use as a caring institution since it was founded for the care of poor chaplains in the 13th century. The six acre complex of buildings and extensive archives provide a unique living history of the last 750 years.
-
- The site includes the ancient parish church of St Helen and Eagle Ward with its lavishly decorated 'eagle ceiling', originally the chancelChancelIn church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
of the church. There is also a refectoryRefectoryA refectory is a dining room, especially in monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions. One of the places the term is most often used today is in graduate seminaries...
, cloisters, 15th and 16th century wings, 19th century almshouses, the Birkbeck Hall, a fine example of Victorian/Edwardian Gothic revival architectureGothic Revival architectureThe Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
, and St Helen's House, built by Thomas IvoryThomas Ivory-Life:He was admitted a freeman of Norwich as a carpenter 21 September 1745, and lived in the parish of St. Helen.He obtained a license for his company of actors, the Norwich Company of Comedians, to perform in Norwich in 1768, and in the same year sent competition drawings for the erection of the...
in the 18th century.
- The site includes the ancient parish church of St Helen and Eagle Ward with its lavishly decorated 'eagle ceiling', originally the chancel
-
- Today the hospital provides sheltered housing and a residential care home.
The Halls - St Andrew's and Blackfriars' (1307-1470)
- The most complete medieval friary complex surviving in England.
-
- St Andrew's Hall is the centrepiece of several magnificent flint buildings, known as The Halls, which form the most complete friary complex surviving in England. The first Dominican Black Friars' priory was destroyed by fire and St Andrew's Hall formed the naveNaveIn Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
of the new church, completed in 1449.
- St Andrew's Hall is the centrepiece of several magnificent flint buildings, known as The Halls, which form the most complete friary complex surviving in England. The first Dominican Black Friars' priory was destroyed by fire and St Andrew's Hall formed the nave
-
- During the ReformationReformation- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
, the site was saved by the City Corporation, which bought it from the king for use as a 'common hall.' Since then the complex has been used for worship, as a mint and as a workhouse.
- During the Reformation
-
- Today the two halls, cryptCryptIn architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
, chapelChapelA chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
and cloisters host conferences, fairs, weddings and concerts.
- Today the two halls, crypt
The Guildhall (1407-1424)
- England's largest and most elaborate provincial medieval city hall
-
- The elaborate design and size of the Guildhall reflect Norwich'sNorwichNorwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
status as one of the wealthiest provincialProvincialProvincial may refer to:* Provincial capitals, an administrative sub-national capital of a country.* Provincial examinations, a school-leaving exam in British Columbia, Canada* A provincial superior of a religious order...
cities in England in medieval times.
- The elaborate design and size of the Guildhall reflect Norwich's
-
- The building represents the growing economic and political power of the new ruling elite that was emerging - wealthy freemen who were merchants and traders.
-
- Norwich was given more self-governing powers in 1404 and the Guildhall was built to house the various civic assemblies, councils and courts that regulated its citizens' lives.
-
- Evidence if these historic functions, which continues until the 20th century, can still be seen. Other parts of the building are in commercial use.
Dragon Hall (1427-1430)
- A magnificent medieval merchant's trading hall, unique in Europe.
-
- Dragon Hall is a medieval trading hall, built by Robert Toppes, a wealthy local merchant, for his business. The first floor of the 27 metre timber-framed hall has an outstanding crown post roof with a beautifully carved dragon, which gives the building its name.
-
- After Toppes' death, the building was converted for domestic use and then, in the 19th century, subdivided into shops, a pub and tenements. The great crown post roof was hidden from view for many years and only rediscovered in the 1980s.
-
- Today Dragon Hall is a heritage attraction open to visitors and is a unique venue for weddings, private and corporate functions, and performances.
The Assembly House (1754-1755)
- One of the most glorious examples of Georgian assembly rooms architecture in the country.
-
- The Assembly House is a GeorgianGeorgian architectureGeorgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
building designed by the architect Thomas IvoryThomas Ivory-Life:He was admitted a freeman of Norwich as a carpenter 21 September 1745, and lived in the parish of St. Helen.He obtained a license for his company of actors, the Norwich Company of Comedians, to perform in Norwich in 1768, and in the same year sent competition drawings for the erection of the...
. It incorporates the original layout of a previous building, the medieval collegeCollegeA college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
of St Mary in the Fields.
- The Assembly House is a Georgian
-
- When it opened, the Assembly House was used as a centre for entertainment and assemblies for the local gentry. During its long history it has hosted a waxworks exhibition by Madame Tussaud, a concert by the composer Franz LisztFranz LisztFranz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
, and many lavish balls.
- When it opened, the Assembly House was used as a centre for entertainment and assemblies for the local gentry. During its long history it has hosted a waxworks exhibition by Madame Tussaud, a concert by the composer Franz Liszt
-
- Today the rooms appear almost exactly as they did at the height of the Regency period, and are used for exhibitions, concerts, conferences and weddings.
St James Mill (1836-1839)
- The quintessential English Industrial RevolutionIndustrial RevolutionThe Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
mill
-
- St James Mill is the archetypal English Industrial Revolution mill in perhaps an unexpected part of the UK. It was built on a site occupied by the White Friars (CarmelitesCarmelitesThe Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
) in the 13th century, and an original arch and undercroftUndercroftAn undercroft is traditionally a cellar or storage room, often brick-lined and vaulted, and used for storage in buildings since medieval times. In modern usage, an undercroft is generally a ground area which is relatively open to the sides, but covered by the building above.- History :While some...
survive.
- St James Mill is the archetypal English Industrial Revolution mill in perhaps an unexpected part of the UK. It was built on a site occupied by the White Friars (Carmelites
-
- When the local textile trade went into decline, St James Mill was bought by Jarrold & Sons Ltd for use by its printing department in 1902. The building was subsequently leased to Caley's, the chocolate manufacturer, and sold to the government as a training factory for war veterans in 1920.
-
- JarroldsJarroldsJarrolds is a large, family run department store in Norwich, England. It is situated at the corner of Exchange Street and London Street. The business was founded in 1770 in Woodbridge in Suffolk, moving to Norwich in 1823. The current building was designed by George John Skipper between 1903-5...
bought back the mill in 1933 and today it is a private office complex. The John Jarrold Printing Museum, which is open most Wednesdays is situated behind the mill.
- Jarrolds
The Cathedral of St John the Baptist (1884-1910)
- One of the finest examples of VictorianVictorian architectureThe term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
Gothic architecture in England.
-
- The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is a particularly fine example of 19th-century Gothic revival architecture. By the 19th century Catholics were once again free to worship in public and the Cathedral was a gift to the city by Henry Fitzalan Howard, 15th Duke of NorfolkDuke of NorfolkThe Duke of Norfolk is the premier duke in the peerage of England, and also, as Earl of Arundel, the premier earl. The Duke of Norfolk is, moreover, the Earl Marshal and hereditary Marshal of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the...
, as part of his personal mission to bring CatholicismCatholicismCatholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
into the centre of English life.
- The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is a particularly fine example of 19th-century Gothic revival architecture. By the 19th century Catholics were once again free to worship in public and the Cathedral was a gift to the city by Henry Fitzalan Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk
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- Designed in the Early English style by George Gilbert Scott Junior, St John's contains some of the finest 19th-century stained glass in Europe. It also has a wealth of Frosterley marble and exquisite stone carving.
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- The Cathedral also incorporates the Narthex - a new visitor centre with a wealth of amenities.
Surrey House (1900-1912)
- One of the most elegant and opulent Edwardian office buildings in Britain.
-
- Surrey House, the historic home of AvivaAvivaAviva plc is a global insurance company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the sixth-largest insurance company in the world measured by net premium income and has 53 million customers in 28 countries...
(formerly Norwich UnionNorwich UnionNorwich Union was the name given to insurance company Aviva's British arm before June 2009. It was originally established in 1797. It is the biggest life insurance provider in the United Kingdom, and has a strong position in motor insurance...
), is a spectacular piece of Edwardian architecture designed by George SkipperGeorge SkipperGeorge John Skipper was a leading Norwich based architect of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Writer and poet, John Betjeman gave this description of him "he is altogether remarkable and original. He is to Norwich rather what Gaudi was to Barcelona" Skipper was born in the Norfolk market...
. He was commissioned by The Norwich Union Life Insurance Society's directors to produce a 'splendid yet functional office space', incorporating Greek influences and the themes of insurance, protection and wellbeing, to reassure policyholders of the company's strength and prosperity.
- Surrey House, the historic home of Aviva
-
- The building has a commanding Palladian exterior and an interior adorned with 15 varieties of marble, classically inspired frescos and a stunning glass atrium. It also contains unusual items such as an 'air fountain' and a chiming skeleton clock made for he Great Exhibition of 1851.
City Hall (1936-1938)
- One of the finest municipal buildings of the inter-war period in England
-
- Norwich City Hall was built when the Guildhall and existing municipal offices could no longer accommodate the growth in local governmentGovernmentGovernment refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
duties in the 20th century.
- Norwich City Hall was built when the Guildhall and existing municipal offices could no longer accommodate the growth in local government
-
- The city council consulted the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)RibaRiba means one of the senses of "usury" . Riba is forbidden in Islamic economic jurisprudence fiqh and considered as a major sin...
and organized an architectural competition to design a new municipal building. The winning design was made from solid brick walls, reflecting the council's belief that a civic building of such importance deserved solid foundations.
- The city council consulted the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
-
- City Hall has an exceptional art deco interior and many fine architectural features, including a top-floor copula, rich mahogany panelling and one of the longest balconies in England.
The Forum (1999-2001)
- The landmark MillenniumMillenniumA millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
building for the East of England and a stunning example of 21st-century design.
-
- The Forum was funded by the Millennium CommissionMillennium CommissionThe Millennium Commission in the United Kingdom was set up to aid communities at the end of the 2nd millennium and the start of the 3rd millennium. It used funding raised through the UK National Lottery....
with matching support from Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council and the business community.
- The Forum was funded by the Millennium Commission
-
- A striking example of post-war architecture, the building houses the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library and 2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Norwich Tourist Information Centre, a cafe and PizzaExpress restaurant and is home to BBC East'sBBC EastBBC East is the BBC English Region serving Norfolk, Suffolk, north Essex, Cambridgeshire, northern and central Hertfordshire, most of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of Buckinghamshire.-Television:...
headquarters.
- A striking example of post-war architecture, the building houses the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library and 2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Norwich Tourist Information Centre, a cafe and PizzaExpress restaurant and is home to BBC East's
-
- In 2009 it opened a series of innovative community facilities, including Fusion, Europe's largest permanent digital gallery with free public access and a state-of-the-art auditorium. Different every day, The Forum also hosts a year-round line-up of free and ticketed events, exhibitions and entertainment.
Exploring the 12
While not all of the Norwich 12 attractions are open to the public, a main focus of the project has been to improve accessibility to each of the sites.All 12 can be explored by means of guided walks and tours, exhibitions and music/performances at the venues, or via heritage interpretation leaflets, signage, websites and guide books.
Norwich 12 tours
- Tours between and around the 12 buildings run from July to September. In 2010 there were 4 tours, with each lasting approximately 3 hours.
Norwich 12 guidebook, film & postcards
- A Norwich 12 Guidebook, film and postcard set have been produced in order to give the public an insight into the histories of the buildings. The postcard pack features the winning images from Norwich HEART's first annual photography competition in 2008/9.
Norwich 12 totems
- Heritage interpretation totems have been installed beside each of the 12 buildings. These detail the key names and dates associated with the buildings and also contain bluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
technology capable of delivering additional heritage information to mobile phones.
SHAPING 24
SHAPING 24 - Strategies for Heritage Access Pathways in NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
and Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
- is a new tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
initiative, also coordinated by Norwich HEART, that links together the Norwich 12 buildings, with 12 heritage sites in Ghent in Belgium.
The project seeks to increase awareness of the longstanding historical links between the East of England
East of England
The East of England is one of the nine official regions of England. It was created in 1994 and was adopted for statistics from 1999. It includes the ceremonial counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Essex has the highest population in the region.Its...
and the Low Countries
Low Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
.
The SHAPING 24 project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund from the European Union's INTERREG IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeeen Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Interreg
Interreg is an initiative that aims to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund...
.
Gent: 12 x erfgoed
The 12 heritage sites in Ghent are:- St Bavo's Abbey
- St Peter's Abbey
- St Bavo's Cathedral
- Castle of the Counts
- St Nicolas' Church
- Beguinages
- Lange Voilettestraat
- Sint-Amandsberg
- Bijloke Monastery Site
- The Belfry
- Ghent City Hall|City Hall
- Hotels
- Hotel Clemmen
- Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Book Tower