But what is the story behind this unusual.
Cosmati pavement covered carpet 150 years.
Cosmati pavement the great pavement in front of the high altar of westminster abbey is a unique and remarkable object.
It has recently been restored and the wonderful colours and riot of swirls and whirls has now been revealed.
Concerned about its deteriorating condition church officials covered most of the cosmati pavement with carpet in the 1870s.
It has recently been restored and the wonderful colours and riot of swirls and whirls has now been revealed.
The cosmati pavement at westminster abbey laid down in 1268 on the orders of henry iii was covered by a carpet for over 100 years.
The cosmati pavement at westminster abbey laid down in 1268 on the orders of henry iii was covered by a carpet for over 100 years.
It has recently been restored and the wonderful colours and riot of swirls and whirls has now been revealed.
Until this year the medieval pavement had been covered by rolls of carpet that caused damage to the stones rather than protecting them.
For many years the cosmati pavement constructed in the 13th century has been forgotten under a carpet.
The cosmati pavement at westminster abbey laid down in 1268 on the orders of henry iii was covered by a carpet for over 100 years.
Although cosmati pavements are usually associated with italy there are two important ones in westminster abbey in london.
It has recently been restored and the wonderful colours and riot of swirls and whirls has now been revealed.
For most of the past 150 years it has been covered in thick layers of carpet intended to protect but in fact just adding to the dirt and staining.
The great pavement in front of the altar is described in richard foster s patterns of thought.
The cosmati pavement at westminster abbey laid down in 1268 on the orders of henry iii was covered by a carpet for over 100 years.
It was only recently that it was re found and work has begun on restoration.
Even when the queen was crowned above it in 1953.
