Which cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The archbishop is the senior bishop of the Church of England and the symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Canterbury Cathedral is therefore one of the most important centres of Anglican worship and history, although the cathedral itself is a place of worship for people of many backgrounds.

A Christian community was established at Canterbury in 597, when Augustine arrived as a missionary from Rome. The cathedral was rebuilt several times after fires and political upheaval. The present main building is largely Gothic, with major rebuilding following the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170.

Canterbury should not be confused with York Minster, which is the seat of the Archbishop of York. Westminster Abbey is a royal foundation and coronation church, while St Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London.