for the first time, visitors to westminster abbey will be allowed to walk on the very spot in front of the high altar where king charles will have been crowned. since the 19th century, the mediaeval mosaic floor known as the cosmati pavement has been covered with carpet, or roped off to the public. but for a few weeks after the coronation, it will be open to the public but only if shoes are removed. 0ur royal correspondent sarah campbell reports. in just six weeks time, westminster abbey will host another coronation. since 1066, 39 monarchs have been crowned here. and for the past 700 years, beneath their feet has been this a mosaic made from thousands of pieces of glass, marble and stone. the cosmati pavement. it s just so unusual that this is here. italian masons came here with all their materials.
39 monarchs have been crowned here. and for the past 700 years, beneath theirfeet here. and for the past 700 years, beneath their feet has been this does make a mosaic made from thousands of pieces of glass, marble and stone. the cosmati pavement. it is of glass, marble and stone. the cosmati pavement. cosmati pavement. it is ust so unusual that i cosmati pavement. it is ust so unusual that this is h cosmati pavement. it isjust so unusual that this is here. - unusual that this is here. italian masons came here with all of their materials, they collaborated with the english masons to reduce this fantastic glittering, shiny mosaic in front of the high altar at the heart of westminster abbey. it would have looked amazing. it’s would have looked amazing. it s so beautiful in the flesh but it s been covered up for years? yes, covered with carpet and boarding, just because it was in such a deteriorated condition that it could be safely used. condition that it could be safely used. and
another coronation. since 1066, 39 monarchs have been crowned here. and for the past 700 years, beneath their feet has been this, a mosaic made from thousands of pieces of glass, marble and stone, the cosmati pavement. it s just so unusual that this is here. italian masons came here with all their materials. they collaborated with the english masons to produce this fantastic, glittering, shiny mosaic, in front of the high altar at the heart of westminster abbey. it would have looked amazing. it s so beautiful in the flesh, but it s been covered up for years. yes. covered with carpet and boarding, just because it was in such a deteriorated condition that it couldn t be safely used. and that s why, when you look back at archive footage from the late queen s coronation in 1953, all you can see is the light coloured carpet. the medievalfloor, which by then was uneven and damaged, had been covered up
his executive powers to order the felling of the trees. and he hasn t responded to our requests for an interview. and just a few days ago, his conservative group announced that he ll resign on monday, when he s due to face a no confidence vote. this has been an emotive and divisive issue in plymouth. that s likely to continue to be the case, whatever the judgment is of the high court this afternoon. jenny kumah, bbc news, plymouth. for more than 100 years, kings and queens have been among the few people permitted to walk on one of britain s greatest mediaeval treasures the cosmati pavement. now, for the first time in its history, visitors to westminster abbey will be allowed to stand in socks in the exact spot where the king will be crowned. our royal correspondent sarah campbell has more. in just six weeks time, westminster abbey will host
they collaborated with the english masons to produce this fantastic, glittering, shiny mosaic in front of the high altar at the heart of westminster abbey. it would have looked amazing. it s so beautiful in the flesh, but it s been covered up for years. covered with carpet and boarding, just because it was in such a deteriorated condition that it couldn t be safely used. and that s why when you look back at archive footage from the late queen s coronation in 1953, all you can see is the light coloured carpet. the medievalfloor, which by then was uneven and damaged, had been covered up since victorian times. vanessa and her team spent two years fully restoring the mosaic, with maintenance an ongoing project. it s witnessed so, so much. it s, you know, throughout the centuries, every special event has taken place and probably on the cosmati pavement. usually the public is kept well away from the cosmati pavement