Dominating the skyline above the River Wear, Durham Cathedral is a masterpiece of Norman Romanesque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1093; by 1133 the nave and transepts were largely complete, creating a monumental stone fortress on a rocky peninsula. The western towers, added around 1200, rise 44 m and flank the nave while the central tower—rebuilt in two stages in the 15th century—soars to 66 m. Massive buttresses and arcaded galleries give the exterior a fortress‑like appearance, softened by later Gothic additions. From Palace Green and Prebends Bridge visitors can view the full sweep of towers and cloisters reflected in the river, a sight that inspired early concept art for Hogwarts.