Cosmati Pavement at Westminster: Hidden Art Guide

Explore the Cosmati Pavement and hidden details—bosses, carvings, inscriptions—so you can slow down and truly see Westminster Abbey.

12/2/2025

14 min read

Geometric Cosmati stone mosaic floor near the high altar

The floor is a manuscript; the ceiling, an illuminated page.

Cosmati 101

Inlaid marbles and porphyry; geometry framed by prophecy inscriptions.
Site of coronations—centuries of footsteps embedded in polish.

Ceiling bosses

What Else to Seek

Weathered effigies; marginal creatures in capitals; mason marks on aisles.

Bottom Line

Slow seeing turns decoration into discovery.

Om författaren

Art & Craft Editor

Guiden vill ge ett stilla, rikt möte med Westminster Abbey – klok timing, varsamma rutter och lagom kontext så att kapell och berättelser börjar ‘sjunga’.