The neogothic Christchurch Cathedral at Cathedral Square, pictured here before the earthquake of February 22, 2011, was the imposing midtown Christchurch landmark on New Zealand's South Island.
In the 2011 earthquake, the Christchurch Cathedral spire collapsed and the cathedral building was badly damaged. It was feared that a number of people had died in the earthquake-damaged cathedral but as the rubble was cleared it was reported on March 5 that no bodies had been found.
Before the 2011 earthquake, you could climb up Christchurch Cathedral to viewing platforms 30 metres up the now collapsed 63m-high spire for a bird's-eye view of Christchurch city. While there, you could examine the Christchurch Cathedral bells at close hand.
Earthquakes have rocked Christchurch and damaged the cathedral spire on a few occasions previously.
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