See how The Great Quadrangle at Christ Church Oxford changed between 1903 and 2024. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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In 1525, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey initiated the construction of the Great Quadrangle, or Tom Quad, at Christ Church, Oxford. His ambitious plan included a cloister, but only the foundations and supports were completed before his fall from power in 1529. Over a century later, in 1681–1682, Sir Christopher Wren designed the iconic Tom Tower, which houses the Great Tom bell. This bell chimes 101 times at 9:05 pm Oxford time, commemorating the original 100 scholars of the college, plus one added in 1664. The Mercury Fountain, added in 1928, features a statue of Mercury atop a basin, originally intended as a fire safety measure. (en.wikipedia.org) Today, Tom Quad remains the largest quadrangle in Oxford, measuring 264 by 261 feet, and continues to be a central feature of Christ Church's architectural heritage. (en.wikipedia.org)
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