Durham Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. Construction began in 1072 on William the Conqueror's orders, supervised by Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, who was executed in 1076. Bishop Walcher began a line of prince-bishops who used the castle as their seat until the Durham (County Palatine) Act 1836 removed their temporal powers.
The Norman Chapel, 33 by 21 feet (10.01 by 6.32 m) with six columns, is the oldest accessible part. Its date is uncertain, given as 1075 or shortly after 1080. Bishop Antony Bek created the Great Hall in the early 14th century, and Bishop Hatfield added a wooden minstrels' gallery and rebuilt the keep. The hall is 46 feet (14 m) high and over 98 feet (30 m) long.
University College has occupied the castle since 1837. UNESCO listed it in 1986 with Durham Cathedral. It remains a working building with over 100 students, so the public may enter only on guided tours.
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