Iona - St Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral is a red granite building which was started in the 12th century in predominantly Norman in style, but it has been enlarged on several occasions and so displays a number of different styles. The oldest part of the cathedral is the northern transept. The square tower (70ft/21.34m) rises up at the intersection of the nave and transept and is supported by four Norman arches. The ornately decorated column capitals in the chancel show demonic figures, floral ornamentation and biblical motifs. The adjoining convent and other buildings which were formerly part of the cathedral have been restored by the Iona community, a charitable organization embracing many faiths, whose members live and work on the island during the summer.