Winchester Buttercross, Winchester

Winchester Buttercross, Winchester

The Winchester Buttercross, also recognized as the Holy Cross monument, stands as a revered symbol dating back to the mid-14th century. Rich in historical significance, local oral traditions suggest that this monument may have been a generous gift from Cardinal Beaufort, who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1404 to 1447.

This remarkable structure is adorned with twelve intricate figures, including depictions of the Blessed Virgin and an array of saints such as Bartholomew, Peter, Swithun, John, Lawrence, Maurice, and Thomas. Additional figures were later added, featuring William of Wykeham, Lawrence de Anne, King Alfred, and the oldest representation, possibly symbolizing St John the Evangelist or St Amphibalus.

Resting gracefully on five octagonal steps, the Winchester Buttercross invites contemplation and marvels at the spiritual legacy embedded in the town's past.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Winchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: 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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Winchester Buttercross on Map

Sight Name: Winchester Buttercross
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

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 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
Winchester Introduction Walking Tour

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
Winchester's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

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