Visitors to Ripon Cathedral will now be able to learn about the rich history of the 12th century building using the latest in new technology.
A new mobile app for smartphones and tablets has been developed to help visitors connect more deeply with a building which has been a place of prayer and worship since it was founded by St Wilfrid in AD 672.
Using a series of trails, visitors of all ages can explore the history, art, architecture, and meaning of the Cathedral, pausing at key points to explore what they see in greater depth. (Pictured right Head Verger, Colin Belsey with the app and the touch screen computer for visitors)
Along with the app, a newly-installed touch-screen computer will allow wheelchairs users, and those unable to navigate the narrow passageways, to explore the crypt for the first time through an interactive tour of the ancient structure.
Both approaches were created by a team at York University’s Centre for Christianity and Culture who worked with five Cathedrals for a pilot project using new technology to create visitor interpretation which would combine history with space for prayer and reflection. Much of the text for the app was written by a member of the Cathedral Chapter, Professor Joyce Hill. Funding for the project came from the Jerusalem Trust, while funding for the touchscreen computer was the gift of a private donor.
Visitors can download the free app by searching for ‘Ripon Cathedral’ in the Apple App Store (click here) or on Google Play (click here). For those who enjoy a more traditional medium, free printed guides will continue to be available at the welcome desk.
Below-- one of the pages from the new smartphone app
