Passing through the front doors of Durham Cathedral, you may notice the metallic head of a lion holding a ring in the shape of a snake in its mouth. What few may realize is that this is a meticulously-rendered duplicate. The original lies inside the church, in the Great Kitchen in Open Treasure. Known as the Sanctuary Knocker, this small object has played an important role in the cathedral’s history. The Sanctuary Knocker dates back to the 12th century. It wasn’t intended for any old visitor who wanted to knock…
