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13 Global Candle-stand
The city of Kiel on the north German coast had long been a major port for the German navy. During World War 2 it was one of the major naval bases and centres of submarine production. As a result, Kiel … Continue reading →
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12 The Cross of Nails
When the Cathedral was destroyed by fire in November 1940, nothing was left apart from rubble, a few charred wooden beams, twisted metal girders, bits of wire, and a great profusion of nails of all sizes lying everywhere, with every … Continue reading →
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11 Stalingrad Madonna
The Battle of Stalingrad was the bloodiest and longest of the Second World War. Late in 1942 the German Sixth Army reached the pivotal city of Stalingrad. Winter was setting in. Hitler declared it must be taken, whatever the cost. … Continue reading →
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Move to stairs and descend to Stalingrad Madonna
Continue reading →10 Chapel of Unity
In November 1945, long before work had started on the new Cathedral, the West Crypt of the ruined Cathedral which had escaped destruction was dedicated to the principle of a Chapel of Unity binding the Church of England and the … Continue reading →
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09 New Cathedral
Welcome to Coventry’s new Cathedral. Its existence, and the reputation of Coventry as a city of Peace and Reconciliation, is largely due to one man. We have already seen how, on the night of 14 November 1940, the boss of … Continue reading →
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Go back to St Michael’s Avenue and along to the Cathedral Entrance.
Continue reading →08 Peace Pole
The planting of Peace Poles was started in Japan as a grassroots project in 1976. Peace Poles have four or more sides displaying the message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ in a different language on each side. Planting a Peace … Continue reading →
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07 Oak trees for peace
In 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono planted two acorns for peace in the Cathedral grounds. They symbolized the meeting of John and Yoko and the union of their two cultures. Planting these acorns was the first of many peace … Continue reading →
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Old Cathedral Quiz
06 Memorial to Civilians Killed in War
There are tombs for unknown soldiers in many countries. But the United Nations estimates that 50 percent of people killed in war are civilians. And they are all as dead as any soldier. So the American peace activist Lewis Randa … Continue reading →
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05 Choir of Survivors
This sculpture is dedicated to the civilians killed or injured in aerial bombing on both sides of wars, past and present. It was carved by German sculptor Helmut Heinze who was raised in the city of Dresden and was very … Continue reading →
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04 Reconciliation Sculpture
This is one of the most famous works of Josefina de Vasconcellos. She was an English sculptor of Brazilian origin who worked in bronze, stone, wood, lead and perspex. She was at one time the world’s oldest living sculptor. She … Continue reading →
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03 Commemorative Plaque
On 14 November, 1990, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother attended an international service of remembrance and reconciliation in Coventry’s new cathedral to mark the 50th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz. During the service she presented a cross of … Continue reading →
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02 The Charred Cross
The next day, news of the Coventry blitz was flashed round the world by radio. The Government considered it right to release the story of the all-night bombing of the civilian population, of the hundreds of lives lost, of the … Continue reading →
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When you have moved there, click the link above to find out about the Charred Cross.
Continue reading →01 The Cathedral Ruins
It is seven o’clock on the night of 14 November, 1940. Four men are standing on the roof of Coventry’s Gothic 14th-century St Michael’s Cathedral, their eyes searching the black night sky, their ears straining, straining to hear the sound … Continue reading →
Travel to Start of Trail
The peace trail starts in the Ruined Cathedral of St Michael shown in the map below. To get directions using Google maps, click the icon 01 Cathedral Ruins, Then click the arrow which appears in a red box Once you … Continue reading →
Inner City Map Overview
The blue dots on the map below show all the locations on the trail. Click the links at the top and bottom of each page to follow the trail.
Continue reading →00 Introduction
Thank you for visiting Coventry’s Peace Trail. The trail consists of around 30 sites associated with peace in Coventry city centre, but you can visit as many locations as you wish. It begins in the Old Cathedral, the bombing of … Continue reading →