Westminster Abbey today announced on Twitter a unique opportunity for tourists. Those who want can visit the exact place where the coronation of King Charles takes place. The only condition that must be respected: you are only allowed to wear socks inside. A condition that clearly did not pose a stumbling block, because all available time slots are already fully booked.
On Saturday 6 May, the British King Charles will be crowned. However, the festivities do not stop after this high day. A few days later, tourists can visit the exact place where the coronation took place for the first time ever for ten weeks. From May 15 to July 29, tourists in groups of ten will be given a tour of Westminster Abbey. The ‘Church and Crown Tour’, as the tour is called, is one of the many activities that Westminster Abbey organizes around the coronation.
Mosaic
One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the ‘Cosmati’ floor. That is a mosaic that has been in Westminster Abbey since the thirteenth century and is considered one of Britain’s greatest medieval treasures. The mosaic consists of several rings made of glass, marble, metal and colored stone.
Coronations have been taking place on the mosaic for more than 700 years. Since the 19th century, however, the stone has been covered during coronations, because the floor had suffered too much damage over time. This is also the case during the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2010, the damaged mosaic was restored. The coronation of King Charles thus becomes a unique event in the history of the Cosmati floor. For the first time in 150 years, the coronation chair will once again stand directly on the Cosmati floor. “The coronation will be a joyous and significant moment for the nation and for Westminster Abbey,” said Scott Craddock, head of visitor experiences at Westminster Abbey.
On socks
Normally the Cosmati floor is shielded from the public, now the public is even allowed to enter the floor. There is one important condition that must be respected. To prevent new damage to the floor, shoes are not allowed. And although tourists can view and walk on the floor in the summer, bare feet are not allowed either because they can make the floor “sticky”. Only socks are allowed for tourists to enter the mosaic.
Out of stock
Unfortunately, those who want to visit the exact place where the coronation of King Charles takes place are not worth the effort. The ‘Church and Crown Tour’ sold out in just a few hours.
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