Kilkenny named one of Europe’s ‘most charming medieval cities’

Kilkenny has been namd one of Europe’s “most charming medieval towns and cities”.

The Marble City ranks alongside the likes of Bern in Switzerland, Bologna in Italy, and Colmar in France in a new top 20 survey carried out by Travel Mag.

The publication noted that not only is Kilkenny home to one of the most recognisable medieval landmarks in Europe, the city has numerous preserved churches, monasteries and a wide range of historical attractions to discover.

The magazine recounted the city’s Norman origins, saying: “After they were done conquering the British Isles, the Normans took on Ireland and it was under their oversight that Kilkenny became an important merchant hub.

“While a lot of the character of those days has been replaced by more modern buildings, there’s enough charm in the main sights to go around, starting with the 12^th-century Kilkenny Castle and its gardens overlooking the River Nore. A discovery trail through Kilkenny links the castle to the other main medieval sights, such as St Canice’s Cathedral, a section of which dates back to the 9^th century.”