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Roche Rock is a large rocky outcrop just outside the village of Roche (on the road to Bugle), which is in china clay country to the north of St Austell in Cornwall. The rock is said to consist of two minerals - grey quartz and tourmaline. Built into the rock is the Chapel of St Michael, dating from 1409. It has been a ruin for at least the past 250 years.
It has to be said that this part of Cornwall does not have the most attractive countryside, and that may be one reason why this amazing place does not receive more visitors. For more details see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roche,_Cornwall.
O Pelourinho de Moreira de Rei, em Trancoso, é um testemunho da história medieval da região. Data do século XVI e é um dos mais bem conservados da Beira Alta. Ao fundo, a pequena Igreja Românica.
Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, United Kingdom. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075. I visited again on the 28th of July 2021. Had a nice walk around inside the cathedral and around the outside too where the changing clouds made an interesting backdrops
01.06.2025
Wandering through the ancient stone passageways of Casteldardo Castle in Sardinia. Each step echoes with centuries of history, and the golden light makes the moment feel timeless.
Arundel Castle in West Sussex England. This Norman castle dates back to 1067 and is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk.
Bryggen is a historic harbour district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities on the west coast of Norway which was established as a centre for trade by the 12th century.
In 1350 the Hanseatic League established a “Hanseatic Office” in Bergen. They gradually acquired ownership of Bryggen and controlled the trade in stockfish from Northern Norway through privileges granted by the Crown. The Hanseatic League established a total of four overseas Hanseatic Offices, Bryggen being the only one preserved today.
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St. Nicholas Church, an Orthodox church in Tbilisi, is located within the walls of the historic Narikala Fortress, which towers high above the city. The current church, built in the 1990s, replaced an earlier structure that dated back to the 13th century. The architecture of the church reflects traditional Georgian design, with its characteristic domes and stone facades. Inside the church, the walls are adorned with vibrant frescoes depicting important Biblical scenes and saints, including St. Nicholas, to whom the church is dedicated. These paintings, combined with the serene atmosphere, make the church an important place for both worshippers and visitors interested in the religious and cultural history of Georgia. Perched high above the city, the church is not always easy to reach for everyone. The church’s location on the fortress also offers visitors a stunning view of Tbilisi, making it a popular destination for both tourists and believers seeking both spiritual and visual experiences.
In the photo, an elderly woman dressed in simple black clothing, a symbol of her deep devotion and humility, is seen slowly making her way towards St. Nicholas Church with the help of her crutches, determined to attend the service. Her face, marked by the years, radiates a quiet strength and dedication. Despite her physical limitations, her faith is an undeniable force that drives her to this sacred place, where she finds solace and connection in her spiritual practices. The church, surrounded by history and prayers, seems to draw her in as a beacon of hope and peace.
De Sint-Nicolaaskerk, een orthodoxe kerk in Tbilisi, bevindt zich binnen de muren van het historische Narikala-fort, dat hoog boven de stad uittorent. De huidige kerk, gebouwd in de jaren 1990, verving een eerdere structuur uit de 13e eeuw. De architectuur van de kerk weerspiegelt de traditionele Georgische bouwstijl, met karakteristieke koepels en stenen gevels. Binnen de kerk zijn de muren versierd met levendige fresco's die belangrijke Bijbelse scènes en heiligen afbeelden, waaronder Sint-Nicolaas, aan wie de kerk is gewijd. Deze schilderingen, samen met de serene sfeer, maken de kerk tot een belangrijke plek voor zowel gelovigen als bezoekers die geïnteresseerd zijn in de religieuze en culturele geschiedenis van Georgië. De kerk ligt hoog boven de stad en is niet altijd gemakkelijk te bereiken voor iedereen. Op de foto is een oude vrouw te zien, gekleed in sobere zwarte kleding, een symbool van haar diepe devotie en nederigheid. Met haar krukken strompelt ze langzaam richting de Sint-Nicolaaskerk, vastberaden om de mis bij te wonen. Haar gezicht, getekend door de jaren, straalt een stille kracht en toewijding uit. Ondanks haar fysieke beperkingen is haar geloof een onmiskenbare drijfveer, die haar voortstuwt naar deze heilige plek, waar ze troost en verbinding vindt in haar spirituele rituelen. De kerk, omringd door geschiedenis en gebeden, lijkt haar aan te trekken als een baken van hoop en vrede. De ligging van de Sint-Nicolaaskerk op het fort biedt bezoekers ook een prachtig uitzicht over Tbilisi, waardoor het een populaire bestemming is voor zowel toeristen als gelovigen die op zoek zijn naar spirituele en visuele indrukken.
Layers of defence! Outer wall, inner wall and main Keep. The Tower of London also has a large deep moat on 3 sides and the river Thames on this side of the photo.
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel and castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded toward the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was initially a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class. The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard, Bishop of Durham) until 1952 (the Kray twins), although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.
The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times, and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II in the 17th century, the monarch would traditionally prepare for several nights at the Tower, and lead a procession from there to Westminster Abbey for their coronation. In the absence of the monarch, the Constable of the Tower was in charge of the castle. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. In the late 15th century, the Princes in the Tower were housed at the castle when they mysteriously disappeared, presumed murdered. Under the Tudors, the Tower became used less as a royal residence, and despite attempts to refortify and repair the castle, its defences lagged behind developments to deal with artillery.
The zenith of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures who had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth Throckmorton, were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, popularised by 16th-century religious propagandists and 19th-century writers, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the world wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. In the latter half of the 19th century, institutions such as the Royal Mint moved out of the castle to other locations, leaving many buildings empty. Anthony Salvin and John Taylor took the opportunity to restore the Tower to what was felt to be its medieval appearance, clearing out many of the vacant post-medieval structures.
In the First and Second World Wars, the Tower was again used as a prison and witnessed the executions of 12 men for espionage. After the Second World War, damage caused during the Blitz was repaired, and the castle reopened to the public. Today, the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, operated by the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House, and guarded by the Yeomen Warders, the property is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.
Walking in the evening with some friends, in the middle of chatting, I noticed this. I abstained myself from conversing for a few minutes while I gathered some shots from various angles and positions, one of which is posted here. The colors, the clouds, and the stunning contrast offered by the early evening streetlights, alongside some natural vibrance, made this shot feel natural, and almost impossible to not achieve. Happy Holidays, out there!
A view westwards along the nave at Bradford Cathedral to the West Window, the Catherine and Jane Wells Memorial Window of 1864. The window depicts the theme of Women of the Bible, and was placed here by a Bradford solicitor named Wells in memory of his sisters. This is mostly an older portion of the Cathedral, with little of Maufe's mid-20th Century work visible here.
The Grade I Bradford Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St Peter, is built on a site used for Christian worship since the 8th century, when missionaries based in Dewsbury evangelised the area. It is notable for having a distinctly more Protestant tradition of furnishing, worship, and theology than any other Church of England cathedral, and it is under the patronage of the Simeon Trust.
The Saxon church fell into ruin during the Norman Invasion in 1066. The Norman Lady of the Manor, Alice de Laci, built a second church that three hundred years later would be destroyed by raiding Scots.
During the 14th century the church was rebuilt and some of the older masonry may have been used in the reconstruction of the nave. The nave arcades, the oldest parts of the present building, were completed in 1458. A clerestory above them was added by the end of the 15th century. Chantry chapels were founded, on the north side of the chancel by the Leventhorpe family, and on the south by the owners of Bolling Hall. The tower in the Perpendicular style was added to the west end and finished in 1508.
The building was extended in the 1950s and 1960s by Edward Maufe. The east end of the Cathedral (shown in the photo) is Maufe’s work, but he reused the Morris & Co. stained glass from the old east window—there is therefore Victorian stained glass throughout the building. In 1854 Robert Mawer carved a new reredos in Caen stone for the church – there is a photograph of it in the church archive – but this was lost during Maufe’s rebuild. There was a substantial internal reordering in 1987, which included the replacement of the Victorian pews by chairs.
St Peter’s Church became a cathedral in 1919, when the Diocese of Bradford was created out of the Diocese of Ripon; it became one of three co-equal cathedrals of the new Diocese of Leeds upon its creation on 20 April 2014.
St. Nicholas Church is a medieval former church in Tallinn, Estonia. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors. Originally built in the 13th century, it was partially destroyed in the Soviet bombing of Tallinn in World War II. It has since been restored and today houses the Niguliste Museum, a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia, focusing mainly on ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages onward. The former church is also used as a concert hall.
The church was founded and built around 1230–1275 by Westphalian merchants, who came from Gotland in the 13th century.
St Mary’s or St Mary the Virgin, Emborough is a disused church, formerly of the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells and now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Emborough is a tiny hamlet over 200 metres above sea level on the Mendip plateau, 6 miles/10 km north of Wells and 15 miles/24 km south-west of Bath.
The pulpit, which has fielded panels, dates from the 18th century, although the base is later.
The seating, of various types, may date partly from a restoration of the church in 1885–86 by JD Sedding when the fielded panels of the ousted Georgian pews were reused to form dados.
At the east end is a communion table with lunette carving of Jacobean type,
Boards inscribed with the Decalogue, Creed and Lord’s Prayer are dated 1817.
St Mary’s Church dates from at least the 12th century, but in its present form the building appears to date from the 13th century, with alterations in the later Middle Ages and at various times in the postmediaeval period, including substantial supporting work to the tower in the 1580s. Pevsner’s view is that the church ‘looks essentially of c.1800’, probably as a result of some ‘Gothick restoration’ around the turn of the 19th Century. Further restoration took place in the 1880s and then the 1920s. The shallow south porch, which incorporates a reused 17th century gravestone, seems to have been built during the 18th/19th Century restoration.
The church had been a chapelry of the parish of Chewton since 1351. After the Second World War the vicar of Chewton was still responsible for Emborough church, although students from Wells Theological College took some of the services. The building suffered from the costly effects of damp, a persistent problem over the centuries in this exposed location. The population has been below 200 since the mid-19th Century (155 in 2021). St Mary’s became redundant in 1978 and was vested in the Redundant Churches Fund (now The Churches Conservation Trust) in 1979 and subsequently repaired under the supervision of Peter Bird of Caroe and Martin
I am indebted to the excellent guide to the church produced by the Churches Conservation Trust for the information in this description.
Refectory (13th century) of the abbey of St. Jean des Vignes in Soissons.
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Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, United Kingdom. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075. I visited again on the 28th of July 2021. Had a nice walk around inside the cathedral and around the outside too where the changing clouds made an interesting backdrops
Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, United Kingdom. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075. I visited again on the 28th of July 2021. Had a nice walk around inside the cathedral and around the outside too where the changing clouds made an interesting backdrops
It is a pleasure to visit the lesser known museums of Florence. Loved wandering through this restored medieval home of a wealthy member of a wool guild. "The Palace, built by the Davizzi family around mid-14th century, was purchased in 1578 by the Davanzati family (their coat of arms is still visible on the facade) and remained in their possession until 1838, when it was divided into several flats and suffered severe damage." Here is the link to the museum: www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/palazzo_davanzati.html
Over the centuries, in between periods of neglect in has been restored several times, and is now beautifully maintained!
Stave churches stand as a distinctive architectural and historical treasure of Norway. Rooted in the Middle Ages, these medieval wooden churches emerged primarily between the 12th and 14th centuries. What sets these churches apart is their unique design, crafted using a timber frame construction called "stav" in Norwegian, from which their name originates. Among their standout features are the intricate decorative carvings that grace their portals and doorways. These detailed wood carvings often depict a fusion of Christian and Norse pagan motifs, providing a vivid glimpse into the cultural influences of their era. Beyond their spiritual role, stave churches assumed significance as emblems of authority and honor for local communities. Though many were raised throughout Norway, only a handful endure to the present day. Among the esteemed survivors, Urnes Stave Church in Luster enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. Revered as one of the oldest and most impeccably preserved stave churches, its architecture masterfully melds Viking and Christian elements. During our stay at Nes Gard in Høyheimsvik, this architectural marvel beckoned, requiring just a short ferry ride and a brief car journey to reach – Urnes Stave Church, Ornes, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway
1521/22 hielt sich der Reformator Martin Luther als „Junker Jörg“ hier versteckt und übersetzte während dieser Zeit das Neue Testament der Bibel („Septembertestament“) in nur elf Wochen ins Deutsche.
The place where Martin Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible into German
en 1521-22 Luther resta caché à la Wartburg. Il y traduisit en seulement 11 semaines le Nouveau testament du grec en allemand.
Southwark Cathedral in south London dates back to 1106AD but has been a holy site for many years longer. I took these photos with my Canon camera. The cathedral is surrounded by other buildings and is difficult to get any long shots
This was about 10:00 at night. It was barely a 7-10 minute walk from our hotel, the Athena, but some fairly steep ups and downs given the Sienese topography!
Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, United Kingdom. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075. I visited again on the 28th of July 2021. Had a nice walk around inside the cathedral and around the outside too where the changing clouds made an interesting backdrops
Took this last night just as the sun was going down.The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse. The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace.
The Crown Inn, the village pub of Bishops Cannings near Devizes in Wiltshire, surrounded by autumn colours and dominated by the spire of its fine parish church, St Mary the Virgin.
This church may be built on the site of a Saxon original but the magnificent 41 metre spire was added during the 15th Century church expansion boom on top of a late 12th Century building. Although the village even today has a population of only 1,800 or so, the chantry chapel attached to the church was richly endowed with lands, making this one of the most impressive village parish churches in Wiltshire, and a prominent landmark from the A361 Devizes to Avebury road.
In central Scotland lies Stirling, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural significance. It served as our final stop on the way to Cameron House. As we approached Stirling, we were immediately struck by the sight of Stirling Castle atop Castle Hill, dominating the skyline. Our Michelin Guide informed us that this fortress has witnessed pivotal moments in Scottish history, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots. Although we admired the castle from the outside, we chose not to explore its interior. Instead, we decided to wander through the charming streets of the town, marveling at its medieval architecture. One notable stop was the Church of the Holy Rude, surrounded by a cemetery offering panoramic views of the city and its surroundings – Stirling, Scotland, UK
A Igreja de São Vicente, em Zamora, erguida entre os séculos XII e XIII, ostenta um magnífico portal românico na fachada principal. Este portal, juntamente com a torre, foi classificado como Monumento Nacional em 1961, testemunhando o seu valor histórico e artístico. Apesar das alterações sofridas pela igreja ao longo dos séculos, o portal românico permanece intacto, como um dos poucos elementos originais da construção inicial. A riqueza de detalhes nas suas arquivoltas, repletas de motivos vegetais e figuras simbólicas, é característica do românico zamorano. A sua sólida estrutura e decoração minuciosa contrastam harmoniosamente com a sobriedade da porta de madeira, formando um conjunto imponente e exemplar da arquitetura histórica da cidade.
Much of the present church dates from the 15th century. It is a wool church, vastly extended with profits from the medieval wool trade. About 1490 the nave was reconstructed with its magnificent arcading built on the foundations of the old Norman nave. The great window over the chancel arch was added, a rare feature of church architecture, which provides wonderful light for the nave.
The fine East Window by Henry Payne was completed in 1925 in memory of those who fell in the Great War. The window over the chancel arch represents the last judgment. Preserved behind glass are wonderful survivals from the days before the Reformation: the unique pair of Altar Frontals (c.1500) and the Cope (c.1400). The Altar Frontals were copied by command of Queen Mary for the High Altar of Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony in 1912.There are fine 15th century brasses, now secured to the Chancel Floor, the largest of which commemorates William Grevel "...flower of the wool merchants of all England..." The finely carved canopied tomb of Sir Thomas Smythe is on the North wall in the sanctuary and is the most remarkable in the church. He was Lord of the Manor of Campden until his death in 1593. He lived at the court of Henry VIII and was the first Governor of the East India Company.
The Jacobean pulpit and Flemish lectern are gifts from Sir Baptist Hicks, whose ornate tomb is in the Gainsborough Chapel.
The church is regarded by Simon Jenkins as being in the top hundred of England's Thousand Best Churches.
This was taken with Judy's i-Phone.
Saturday 14th of August 2021 and a trip to the closest Cathedral to me in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Cathedral was built in 1180AD and paid for my a local wealthy Norman merchant. It has a very interesting history. In 1449AD the Bishop of Chichester was murdered in Portsmouth by sailors so the cathedral was closed for a time and the people of Portsmouth excommunicated! The Cathedral is just a short walk from the closest beach at the Hot Walls.
The Wiltshire village of Bishops Cannings is dominated by the spire of its fine parish church, St Mary the Virgin.
This church may be built on the site of a Saxon original but the magnificent 41 metre spire was added during the 15th Century church expansion boom on top of a late 12th Century building. Although the village even today has a population of only 1,800 or so, the chantry chapel attached to the church was richly endowed with lands, making this one of the most impressive village parish churches in Wiltshire, and a prominent landmark from the A361 Devizes to Avebury road.
Bryggen is a historic harbour district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities on the west coast of Norway which was established as a centre for trade by the 12th century.
In 1350 the Hanseatic League established a “Hanseatic Office” in Bergen. They gradually acquired ownership of Bryggen and controlled the trade in stockfish from Northern Norway through privileges granted by the Crown. The Hanseatic League established a total of four overseas Hanseatic Offices, Bryggen being the only one preserved today.
Stave churches stand as a distinctive architectural and historical treasure of Norway. Rooted in the Middle Ages, these medieval wooden churches emerged primarily between the 12th and 14th centuries. What sets these churches apart is their unique design, crafted using a timber frame construction called "stav" in Norwegian, from which their name originates. Among their standout features are the intricate decorative carvings that grace their portals and doorways. These detailed wood carvings often depict a fusion of Christian and Norse pagan motifs, providing a vivid glimpse into the cultural influences of their era. Beyond their spiritual role, stave churches assumed significance as emblems of authority and honor for local communities. Though many were raised throughout Norway, only a handful endure to the present day. Among the esteemed survivors, Urnes Stave Church in Luster enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. Revered as one of the oldest and most impeccably preserved stave churches, its architecture masterfully melds Viking and Christian elements. During our stay at Nes Gard in Høyheimsvik, this architectural marvel beckoned, requiring just a short ferry ride and a brief car journey to reach – Urnes Stave Church, Ornes, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway
Travelled up to Salisbury today to revisit the wonderful cathedral. It has the tallest spire in the United Kingdom. I climbed to the top of the spire last time I visited back in 2014. The tower is not open at the moment due to Covid-19 rules on social distancing. Salisbury cathedral is one of our newer Norman cathedrals as it was not built until 1220AD. Sadly the weather today as you can see was cloudy and overcast.
The Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury known as Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral was built in 1180 and paid for my a local wealthy Norman merchant. It has a very interesting history. In 1449 the Bishop of Chichester was murdered in Portsmouth by sailors so the cathedral was closed for 58 years and the people of Portsmouth excommunicated! It reopened in 1508 when the excommunication was lifted. Queen Elizabeth 1st worshipped there. The remains of the sailors taken from the Tudor warship Mary Rose when she was lifted from the seabed just off Portsmouth are all in a tomb inside the cathedral.
The Cathedral is just a short walk from the closest beach at the Hot Walls. This photo was taken with my Samsung phone camera
The ruins of Bishops Waltham Palace in Bishops Waltham Hampshire. The site dates back to the Anglo Saxon King Edward the Elder in 904AD
The ruins of Coventry’s former St Michael’s Cathedral, photographed from the site of the altar.
The original St Michael’s was almost completely destroyed by the Luftwaffe; the rubble was not cleared for seven years. Only the tower, spire, the outer wall and the bronze effigy and tomb of its first bishop, Huyshe Yeatman-Biggs, survived. Largely constructed in the late 14th and 15th Centuries in red sandstone, it was one of the largest parish churches in England and only elevated to cathedral status in 1918 with the creation of the Diocese of Coventry as a result of rapid population growth in the industrial West Midlands. The Perpendicular Gothic spire still dominates the site: the top of the weathervane is 88 metres above the ground, making it the tallest structure in Coventry; among Church of England cathedrals, only Norwich and Salisbury have a higher spire. The ruins remain a permanent memorial to the 600 or so residents of Coventry who died on the night the cathedral was destroyed. The site of the ruins is open to visitors is are occasionally used for acts of worship, particularly those related to reconciliation.
To the right is the 72 metre high spire of the nearby Holy Trinity Parish Church, originally 14th Century but rebuilt in the 1660s. It looks small in comparison from this perspective.
Just occasionally people tell me they don’t like Coventry Cathedral. I couldn’t disagree more; a powerful symbol of Resurrection, restored to a very different life barely twenty years after being destroyed in the Blitz on 14 November 1940. The Modernist Cathedral of St Michael of the 20th Century both surrounded by and incomprehensible without the ruins of 14th Century building that surrounds it.
Coventry Cathedral incarnates the twin and interconnected British revivals of the two decades after the end of the Second World War – a revival of high culture and a revival of Christian faith. Basil Spence’s cathedral housing Jacob Epstein’s sculptures, John Piper’s massive arrangements of stained glass into windows, and Graham Sutherland’s tapestry, still in 2021 the largest in the world, represent collectively a totemic achievement in modernist visual arts and architecture.
The brief for the competition to select the architect of the new Cathedral demanded that the design emphasise the celebration of the Eucharist; Spence himself had a further vision of the building as the repository of great modern works of art. He described his building as “a plain jewel casket”. Piper’s windows cast shafts of colour into the heart of the nave, while the plain glass West Screen, which faces to the geographical south, allows much natural light into the building, essential given that the east end is entirely filled with Graham Sutherland’s great tapestry, still the largest in the world at 22 metres tall by 12 metres wide.
Coventry Cathedral was built to a tight budget – “not more than £985,000” – and making much use of reinforced concrete, the new cathedral was constructed in just six years, between Queen Elizabeth II laying the foundation stone on 23 March 1956 and the dedication ceremony on 25 May 1962.
Could there have been a finer or more appropriate setting for the world première of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem on 30 May 1962? On that night, the Cathedral’s great post-War religious theme was also incarnated in the three soloists: Peter Pears (Britten’s partner) from the host nation, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau from Germany, Galina Vishnevskaya from the USSR, representing three belligerent nations. That tri-national partnership continues to be symbolised by the presence of a replica of the Stalingrad Madonna given by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, where the original hangs, with a second copy being in Kazan Cathedral in Volgograd.
A building that breathes with the presence of the Holy Spirit, giving new life the Church in every generation.
Samsung phone photos of my visit to the Tower of London the 2nd of July 2021. I had to book a ticket on line so booked the first slot at 9am. It was very slow there due to Covid-19 but great to visit without the crowds that would be there from all over the world in normal times. The Tower of London dates back to 1066 with the White Tower being built in 1078. The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.