Mappa Mundi & Chained Library

An exhibition situated in the south-west Cloister of the Cathedral sets out the significance of Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library which are both housed in a new building at the west end of the Cloister, opened by the Queen in May 1996. It was designed by the distinguished architect Sit William Whitfield and has won many accolades, not least the Building of the Year award in 1997.

The Chained Library was originally housed in the Lady Chapel. It contains the historic part of the Cathedral community, and represents the importance of learning in the Cathedral's life. The chains were an early form of security, ensuring htat readers could read the books in situ, but not remove them.