St Bene’t’s Church

The tower of Saint Bene’t’s Church stands apart from the rest of the structure with its rugged, dark stone walls and its tall, narrow archway made of large, weathered blocks. This tower dates back to the eleventh century, making it the oldest building in Cambridge. During the middle ages, it served as the parish church for the townspeople long before the university colleges claimed the surrounding land. When the university held its early meetings here, scholars would be summoned by the church bell.