Bath Abbey

The late-Gothic cathedral of the Bishop of Bath and Wells is known simply as "the Abbey", a reflection of the long history of abbey churches preceding it on the site. The present building was started by Bishop Oliver King who, on his consecration in 1495, dreamed of angels ascending and descending ladders to and from heaven, at the same time hearing a voice declare that "the crown should plant an olive tree and the king restore the church". This he interpreted as a sign to rebuild the church. His dream is immortalized in stone on the west front where, above olive trees encircled by crowns, angels can be seen ascending and descending tall ladders surrounded by apostles. The figure of Christ appears high up in the tympanum