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Gloucester Cathedral Cloisters, returned here the other day here with the Pentax K3 II to try out the Pixel Shift function as it's such a photogenic building.
Manfrotto Tripod, Pentax Remote, Lens = Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART, edited in Snapseed on iPad Pro.
For an in depth description of Pixel Shift :-
www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/how-pentax-k...
The beautiful Grade I-listed All Saints Church, Thornham, dates from the 13th century or earlier, but building came to an abrupt stop in 1348 with the arrival of the Black Death in the village.
A substantial part of the church dates from the 15th century, when it was considerably extended. The principal benefactors were the Miller family, wealthy local merchants. Brass inscriptions to Simon Miller who died in 1464 and his son John Miller 1488 are reset in the south aisle. I wonder if they were wool merchants? This has all the appearance of a wool church, though the tower is shorter than most. According to the parish web site the tower was started in the early 17th century but not completed then as the stone masons were required in London following the Great Fire.
The very wide nave has arcades with thirteenth century columns, reset on higher bases when the church was largely rebuilt towards the end of the fifteenth century. At this time the clerestory windows were added above the heightened arcade and the fine hammerbeam roof was constructed. It rests on large corbel brackets with carved heads re-used from the earlier church.
There was substantial restoration work undertaken in the 19th century, as at so many old English parish churches. The bell was re-hung in the tower, the chancel was completely rebuilt and the roof of the nave was restored.
Trinity Church in Jersey, the parish of which covers the rural central north of the island, has existed on this site since at least the year 1090 and the chancel dates from around then. I cannot find a date for the construction of the present nave, although the transepts and tower are said to have been added in the 15th Century. Eventually, the south transept was transformed into a porch, and the north transept into a Lady Chapel.
As with other Jersey churches, there was substantial iconoclasm and desecration by Puritans as the Channel Islands became strongly Calvinistic in the immediate aftermath of the Reformation – perhaps that explains why the tower was struck by lightning three times between 1629 and 1648! Some degree of decoration began to return to Trinity in the late 19th Century. In the early 20th Century, the spire was encased in concrete giving it the white appearance.
Probably the best of the photos I took in the Great Aurora of 10-11 May 2024 - and if it had been the only one I'd taken, I'd have been well pleased.
The National Churches Trust describes St Mary's in Potterne as a “an Early English church of exceptional purity and austerity.”
A priest, and land held by the Bishop of Salisbury, was recorded at Potterne in Domesday Book of 1086, and in Victorian times, a 10th Century font was found on the site of the present day Church of England parish church of St Mary. It was built in the 13th century and has survived with little change, beyond work to the tower in the 15th century and restoration by Ewan Christian. Pevsner describes it as, “An Early English parish church of exceptional purity and indeed classicity” and linked this to the Bishops’ ownership of the manor.
The church is cruciform, with a substantial tower over the crossing, and original lancet windows. It is built of rubble stone, with ashlar to the upper tower. The south porch was added in the 14th century, and in the 15th the tower was made higher and given an elaborate battlement. Restoration in 1870–2 included re-roofing and the removal of galleries, and the stained glass is from various dates in that century.
From the 11th century, the church had been linked to All Saints at West Lavington as tithes from both churches endowed a prebendary at Salisbury Cathedral. From 1967 the benefice was held in plurality with Worton and since 2017 the parish has been part of the Wellsprings benefice, which extends to Seend, Bulkington and Poulshot.
Potterne is a village with a population of 1,544 (2021), 2 miles/3 km south of the Wiltshire market town of Devizes.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
photo rights reserved by Ben
In the vast, arid landscape of eastern Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan, lies the ancient David Gareja Monastery complex. Carved directly into sandstone cliffs, the site is home to dozens of rock-cut cells, chapels, and passageways — silent witnesses to over fourteen centuries of monastic devotion. One of the most striking features is the stone tower perched high on a rocky outcrop, standing alone and overlooking the desolate terrain. This modest structure, built from irregular stone blocks, served as a watchtower. From here, monks could survey the surrounding area and detect approaching threats. During times of danger — from Mongol invasions to Persian raids — the height offered a strategic advantage, not for counterattack, but for protection, prayer, and preparation. Just below the tower, the entrances to ancient monastic caves are still visible, once inhabited by hermits who withdrew from worldly life to live in spiritual isolation. This combination of rugged nature and human humility makes David Gareja a truly unique place. Yet it’s not only history that lives on here — the natural world remains ever-present. The windswept ridges and rocky solitude attract numerous birds of prey. Hikers in the area often spot golden eagles soaring overhead, or short-toed snake eagles gliding low across the plains. Buzzards, falcons, and even vultures are also seen in the Kakheti and Kartli regions. The tower at David Gareja is more than just a remnant of Georgia’s Christian heritage — it stands as a symbol of stillness, vigilance, and deep connection to the landscape. A place where time, faith, and nature converge.
The tower symbolizes solitude, vigilance, and spiritual retreat — a silent witness to centuries of devotion. Carved into the harsh rockscape, it stands isolated yet firmly rooted in the landscape. In the upper right, a bird of prey glides effortlessly through the sky, embodying the wild spirit of this remote region. Its presence feels natural, even inevitable, in a place shaped by silence and wind. The architecture does not dominate but blends with the earth, shaped as much by necessity as by faith. The scene is a powerful example of how human presence and nature can exist in balance, each amplifying the other’s beauty.
In het uitgestrekte, dorre landschap van Oost-Georgië, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan, ligt het eeuwenoude David Gareja-kloostercomplex . Tegen de hellingen van zandkleurige rotsformaties zijn tientallen cellen, kapellen en gangen uitgehouwen — stille getuigen van meer dan veertien eeuwen religieuze toewijding. Eén van de meest opvallende elementen is de stenen toren die boven op de rots uitsteekt, hoog en eenzaam uitkijkend over het halfwoestijnachtige terrein. Deze toren, eenvoudig gebouwd uit onregelmatige stenen, diende als wachttoren. Van hieruit konden monniken het omliggende gebied overzien en vroegtijdig vijandelijke bewegingen signaleren. In tijden van dreiging , zoals tijdens de invallen van de Mongolen of de Perzen, bood de hoogte een strategisch voordeel — niet voor aanval, maar voor bescherming en voorbereiding. Direct onder de toren zijn nog steeds de ingangen zichtbaar van uitgehakte grotten, ooit gebruikt als leef- en gebedsruimtes door kluizenaars die zich uit de wereld terugtrokken. De combinatie van ruige natuur en menselijke nederigheid maakt deze plek uniek. En niet alleen de geschiedenis leeft hier voort — ook de natuur is onverminderd aanwezig. De kale rotsen, winderige hoogten en stilte trekken veel roofvogels aan. Tijdens wandelingen door dit gebied is de kans groot dat je een steenarend ziet zweven , of een slangenarend laag boven de vlakte ziet cirkelen. Ook buizerds, valken en zelfs gieren zijn in dit deel van Kakheti en Kartli waargenomen. De toren van David Gareja vormt daarmee niet alleen een monument van het christelijke verleden van Georgië, maar ook een symbool van verstilling , waakzaamheid en verbondenheid met het landschap. Een plek waar tijd, geloof en natuur elkaar ontmoeten.
Looking along the nave to the west door of Rochester Cathedral. The Great West Window dates from 1470; the present stained glass from 1883, when it was executed by Clayton and Bell. A row of eight Old Testament figures sits above depictions of incidents in their lives. The window is dedicated to soldiers of the Royal Engineers who died in campaigns between 1838 and 1881.
Rochester Cathedral in the English county of Kent, formally the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the seat of the Diocese of Rochester, the second oldest bishopric in England after that of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The edifice is a Grade I listed building
There has been a cathedral on this site since 604, but after the Norman Conquest, the by now decayed building was replaced by a new Rochester Cathedral, constructed beginning in 1080 by Bishop Gundulf.
The building was dedicated in either 1130 or 1133, but was badly damaged by fire almost immediately, and then again in 1137 and 1179, with the east end almost complete destroyed. This was replaced around the turn of the 13th Century. There was a significant period of extension in the late 13th and early 14th Centuries, which added much Decorated work while leaving the Norman-Romanesque superstructure largely intact.
The cathedral suffered a steep decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, during which time its estates were confiscated by the Crown, and it became dilapidated and fell into disrepute. Samuel Pepys, the diarist, would later dismiss it as a "shabby place". After William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, visited the cathedral in 1633 and complained about its general state, there seems to have been a significant programme of repairs, only to fall into disrepair again under Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth, although remedial work began as early as 1664 after the Restoration. Almost inevitably, the Cathedral was “restored” by George Gilbert Scott in the 1870s.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
After mass the incense and sunlight makes for a stunning experience. This cathedral, technically called The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert, was started in 1344 and not finished until 1929.
Early August morning in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1969. I’ve been to Rothenburg twice, but this was my parents first time. It is a Kodachrome slide I scanned this morning, but liked it when edited in black and white. I’m pretty sure he used a Topcon 35mm camera. I believe that this view is looking to the Kobolzell Gate.
On the Geghard Monastery complex is a masoleum known as the zhamatun. It was hewn in 1283, and is a roughly square chamber cut into the rock, with deeply cut reliefs in the walls, one of them this magnificent cross surrounded by tree of life motifs.
Geghard Monastery is the jewel of Armenia’s tourist crown and deservedly so. It is cut into the cliffs that tower above it in the dramatic Azat River Gorge and so, above it, are around two dozen tiny rock chapels. It is almost like a Hollywood set for a Tolkien epic, except it is far too real for that.
The monastery was founded in the 4th century, according to tradition by Gregory the Illuminator. Although recorded as being well appointed Late Antiquity, it was destroyed by Arabs in the 10th Century. So the current building dates from 1215, along with its wonderful stone-carvings, and inscriptions on the site indicating it was becoming more active from the 1160s. Earthquakes also did it plenty of damage over the centuries; but it thrives again in the 2020s.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
St James’ Church in the Wiltshire market town of Devizes (pop. 15,500) started life as a hospital chapel built with wood donated by King Henry III adjacent to the 13th century leprosy hospital in Southbroom. The district was so known because it was south of the defensive hedge or broom which protected the town from bandits; this tended to the poorest part of a wealthy medieval town.
The chapel was dedicated to St. James and St. Denys, but disappeared from the records after 1338. It is probable that St James’ was re-built on the site of this old chapel, given its proximity to Spitalcroft, which was the land attached to the hospital.
In 1461 the first evidence of the new building appeared in the will of William Selfe, which mentions a ‘chapelry’ on the Green. St James’ remained within the parish of Bishops Cannings which is 5 km away, rather than Devizes, but had its own registers by 1572, and its own clergy by 1683.
Most of the chapel was pulled down in 1831 to allow the building of a larger church, the current one, for the growing population. The exception was the fine perpendicular tower is the only part of the 15th century chapelry which remains. The tower bears the scars of the bombardments from Jump Hill by General Walters’ parliamentary forces in the Civil War siege of Devizes in 1643. The cannon balls were found in the tower by a worker in 1780 but subsequently lost.
Public contributions raised nearly all the cost of £1053 (over £100,000 at current value). With its new church, St James’ became a separate parish with its own vicar.
A Choir Vestry (now the Church Office) was added in the 1930s. At about the same time further changes were made, including the reordering of the sanctuary and the removal of the wooden side galleries. These had been added in the 19th century to make room for the soldiers of the Wiltshire Regiment garrison.
In 2008 major internal changes were made to make the building suitable for modern use, with the removal of pews and a wooden west gallery. This allowed a full width mezzanine gallery, giving space below for a meeting room and other facilities. The removal of organ pipes by replacement with a digital instrument gave access to the Tower Room for the first time since an organ was first installed in Victorian times. This revealed four carved stone heads, believed to be 15th century originals, and a beautiful stained glass window.
The churchyard was enlarged in 1844 at the expense of the Crammer pond, though was soon closed to new burials. The retaining wall had to be rebuilt after its collapse into the pond in 2008, allowing some improvements which support wildlife as part of the Living Churchyards project.
The church is a Grade II* listed building, as described in “An Architectural Description”. There are a number of windows and memorials of interest and the church houses the regimental chapel of the Wiltshire Regiment. These are described in “The Windows and Memorials”. A list of the successive vicars and the changes that occurring during their time can be found in “The Incumbents.”
This description contains much text from the church’s website.
There may have been a church on this site as early as Saxon times, and while the tower is genuinely from the 15th Century, the rest of St George's Church in Preshute is an 1854 "restoration" that was in fact closer to a complete reconstruction.
The parish of Preshute, just west of Marlborough, consists almost entirely of farmland and downland and has a population of just 193, most of whom live in the hamlet of Manton.
The Church of All Saints is a Church of England parish church in Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire. The church is a grade I listed building and it dates from the middle of the 12th century. The chancel was restored in 1849 by Benjamin Ferrey, and the rest of the church was restored between 1851 and 1853 by G. E. Street. The church was designated as a grade I listed building on 18 July 1963.
The church stands in the Liberal Catholic tradition of the Church of England. Due to its proximately, the church has close links with Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college. The college attends the church's evensong each day.
photo rights reserved by Ben
The Zhinvali Reservoir, also known as the Jinvali Reservoir, is a beautiful artificial lake in Georgia. It is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, about 70 kilometers north of the capital Tbilisi. This reservoir is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful turquoise waters and picturesque surroundings of mountains and forests. The Zhinvali Reservoir was created in 1985 by the construction of the Zhinvali Dam on the Aragvi River. The main purpose of the dam and reservoir is to supply Tbilisi with drinking water, electricity production and irrigation. The dam is 102 meters high and is an essential part of Georgia's energy and water infrastructure. The area around the reservoir is characterized by a breathtaking landscape of green hills and high mountains. The water itself has a striking blue or turquoise hue, depending on the light and the season. In the vicinity of the lake you can spot wildlife and enjoy hiking trails that lead through the beautiful nature. On the shores of the lake lies the famous Ananuri Fortress, a historical site dating back to the 16th-17th centuries. The fortress not only offers an insight into Georgian history, but also a beautiful view of the lake. Within the Ananuri complex is a well-preserved church with impressive stone carvings and frescoes. Ananuri is recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural and historical significance. It is an ideal place for photography, picnics and relaxing in nature, making it a must-see destination for travelers in Georgia.
The Ananuri Fortress is a historical complex in Georgia, located on the banks of the Zhinvali Reservoir, about 70 kilometers north of Tbilisi. One of the most visited attractions in the country, the fortress not only offers a fascinating insight into Georgian history, but also a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. The fortress dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries and served as the residence of the Aragvi Dukes, a powerful dynasty in Georgia. The complex played an important role in defending the region from invasions and wars. The complex consists of several defensive structures, such as towers, churches and walls, which were strategically placed to withstand attacks. The Church of the Savior is the most striking structure within the complex. It is decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs typical of medieval Georgian architecture. The large towers served as both lookouts and shelters during sieges. Visitors can explore the fortress for free.
Het Zhinvali-reservoir, ook wel bekend als het Jinvali-reservoir, is een prachtig kunstmatig meer in Georgië. Het bevindt zich in de regio Mtskheta-Mtianeti, ongeveer 70 kilometer ten noorden van de hoofdstad Tbilisi. Dit stuwmeer is een populaire toeristische bestemming vanwege zijn schitterende turquoise wateren en de schilderachtige omgeving van bergen en bossen. Het Zhinvali-reservoir werd in 1985 aangelegd door de bouw van de Zhinvali-dam op de rivier de Aragvi. Het belangrijkste doel van de dam en het reservoir is het leveren van drinkwater aan Tbilisi, elektriciteitsproductie en irrigatie. De dam is 102 meter hoog en vormt een essentieel onderdeel van de energie- en waterinfrastructuur van Georgië. Het gebied rond het reservoir wordt gekenmerkt door een adembenemend landschap van groene heuvels en hoge bergen. Het water zelf heeft een opvallende blauwe of turquoise tint, afhankelijk van de lichtval en het seizoen. In de buurt van het meer kun je wilde dieren spotten en genieten van wandelpaden die door de prachtige natuur lopen. Aan de oevers van het meer ligt het beroemde Ananuri-fort, een historische plek die dateert uit de 16e-17e eeuw. Het fort, dat een van de meest bezochte bezienswaardigheden van het land is, biedt niet alleen een fascinerende inkijk in de Georgische geschiedenis, maar ook een prachtig uitzicht op het omliggende landschap. Het fort diende als de residentie van de Aragvi-hertogen, een machtige dynastie in Georgië. Het complex speelde een belangrijke rol in de verdediging van de regio tegen invallen en oorlogen. Het complex bestaat uit meerdere verdedigingsstructuren, zoals torens, kerken en muren, die strategisch waren geplaatst om aanvallen te weerstaan. De Verlosserkerk -Church of the Savior is het meest opvallende bouwwerk binnen het complex. Het is versierd met ingewikkeld houtsnijwerk en reliëfs die typisch zijn voor de middeleeuwse Georgische architectuur. De grote torens dienden zowel als uitkijkposten als schuilplaatsen tijdens belegeringen. Ananuri staat op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO vanwege zijn culturele en historische betekenis. Bezoekers kunnen het fort gratis verkennen.
Basilica di San Francesco d' Assisi. A synthesis of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Built in 1227. Truly a beautiful and blessed sight.
photo rights reserved by Ben
The David Gareja Monastery complex lies in a remote and isolated part of the rugged, semi-desert landscape of eastern Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan. The surroundings are marked by dry hills, barren plains, and steep rock formations — far removed from any village or town. This very secluded location enhances the spiritual atmosphere of the site, which has served for centuries as a retreat for monks seeking to withdraw from the world. The monastery was founded in the 6th century by the Syrian monk David Garejeli and is partially carved into the soft sandstone cliffs. On the left side of the photo, you can see the dramatic, sloping rock wall with carved cells, chapels, and caves that once served as living and prayer quarters for the monks. Some of them are still adorned with delicate, centuries-old frescoes. On the right, the fortified walls and round watchtowers can be seen — silent witnesses to the monastery’s defensive function throughout history. In the center, a green, open courtyard connects nature and architecture in a harmonious way. Beyond its historical and architectural value, David Gareja is still a living religious site. Today, it is home to Georgian Orthodox monks who lead a modest, secluded life devoted to prayer, study, and the maintenance of the monastery. Their presence reminds us that David Gareja is not merely a ruin, but an active spiritual community. Their daily routines continue almost undisturbed — in silence, in stone, and in harmony with the land. During our visit, we were the only visitors, allowing us to explore the entire site in complete peace. From the monastery, there is a breathtaking view over the silent, endless semi-desert plains — a place of stillness, reflection, and mysticism.
Hidden in Georgia’s remote semi-desert near the Azerbaijani border, the David Gareja Monastery is a centuries-old complex carved into sandstone cliffs. Still home to Orthodox monks, it blends ancient history with quiet spiritual life. Surrounded by stark, rugged landscapes, the site offers solitude, breathtaking views, and a deep sense of timelessness.
Het David Gareja-kloostercomplex ligt afgelegen en geïsoleerd in het ruige, halfwoestijnachtige landschap van Oost-Georgië, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. De omgeving wordt gekenmerkt door droge heuvels, kale vlaktes en steile rotspartijen — ver verwijderd van dorpen of steden. Juist deze verlaten ligging versterkt de spirituele sfeer van de plek, die eeuwenlang een toevluchtsoord is geweest voor monniken die zich wilden terugtrekken uit de wereld. Het klooster werd in de 6e eeuw gesticht door de Syrische monnik David Garejeli en is deels uitgehouwen in de zachte zandsteenrotsen. Links op de foto zie je de spectaculaire, schuin oplopende rotswand, vol uitgehouwen cellen, kapellen en grotten die ooit dienden als woon- en gebedsruimten voor monniken. Sommige zijn nog versierd met verfijnde, eeuwenoude fresco’s. Rechts zijn de versterkte muren en ronde wachttorens zichtbaar — stille getuigen van de verdedigingsfunctie die het complex door de eeuwen heen ook heeft vervuld. In het midden ligt een groen, open binnenplein dat op harmonieuze wijze natuur en architectuur met elkaar verbindt. Naast zijn historische en architectonische waarde is David Gareja nog altijd een levendige religieuze plek. Er wonen vandaag de dag nog steeds Georgisch-Orthodoxe monniken, die er een teruggetrokken en sober leven leiden, toegewijd aan gebed, studie en het onderhoud van het klooster. Hun aanwezigheid onderstreept dat David Gareja geen verlaten ruïne is, maar een actieve spirituele gemeenschap. Hun dagelijkse rituelen gaan haast ongestoord verder — in stilte, in steen, en in verbondenheid met de natuur. Tijdens ons bezoek waren we de enige bezoekers, wat het mogelijk maakte het hele terrein in volledige rust te verkennen. Vanaf het klooster strekt zich een adembenemend uitzicht uit over de stille, eindeloze semi-woestijnvlakten — een plek van verstilling, bezinning en mystiek.
photo rights reserved by Ben
Mtskheta, located just 20 kilometers from Tbilisi, is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and is considered the spiritual capital of the country. This charming city is located at the confluence of the Mtkvari Kura and Aragvi rivers and is known for its rich history. In the heart of the city stands the imposing Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built between 1010 and 1029. This masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important religious buildings in the country. According to tradition, the robe that Jesus wore during his crucifixion is buried here, making the cathedral one of the holiest sites in Georgia. The cathedral is surrounded by an impressive fortified wall, complete with battlements, towers and age-old gates, which almost looks like a castle. Step through one of the gates and you’ll find yourself in a bustling courtyard where faith is still very much alive. During our visit, a traditional wedding was taking place: guests in festive attire gathered, a priest sang in Old Georgian, candles flickered, and the sound of singing filled the room. The atmosphere was intense and powerful — a special mix of holiness and human connection. In addition to its spiritual heritage, Mtskheta has a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Cozy shopping streets wind through the old town, where you’ll find small boutiques, local crafts, and colorful souvenirs. At weekends, the town comes to life with cheerful market stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and fragrant herbs to handmade jewelry and traditional delicacies.
The entrance gate to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral stands on the western side of the walled complex, in the heart of Mtskheta. Dating back to the 11th century, it was built alongside the cathedral itself. The heavy wooden doors are framed by solid stone and a rounded arch, worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims passing through. Stepping through this gate means walking straight into Georgia’s living history.
Mtskheta, gelegen op slechts 20 kilometer van Tbilisi, is een van de oudste steden van Georgië en wordt beschouwd als de spirituele hoofdstad van het land. Deze charmante stad ligt aan de samenvloeiing van de rivieren Mtkvari Kura en Aragvi, en staat bekend om haar rijke geschiedenis. Midden in de stad prijkt de imposante Svetitskhoveli-kathedraal, gebouwd tussen 1010 en 1029. Dit meesterwerk van middeleeuwse Georgische architectuur is opgenomen op de UNESCO Werelderfgoedlijst en geldt als een van de belangrijkste religieuze bouwwerken van het land. Volgens de overlevering ligt hier het kleed begraven dat Jezus droeg tijdens zijn kruisiging, waardoor de kathedraal een van de heiligste plekken in Georgië is. De kathedraal wordt omringd door een indrukwekkende versterkte muur, compleet met kantelen, torens en eeuwenoude toegangspoorten. Het geheel oogt bijna als een kasteel. Zodra je door een van de poorten stapt, bevind je je in een bruisende binnenplaats waar het geloof nog springlevend is. Tijdens ons bezoek vond er een traditionele bruiloft plaats: gasten in feestelijke kleding verzamelden zich, een priester zong in het Oud-Georgisch, kaarsen flakkerden, en het geluid van gezang vulde de ruimte. De sfeer was intens en krachtig — een bijzondere mix van heiligheid en menselijke verbondenheid. Naast haar spirituele erfgoed heeft Mtskheta een levendige en gastvrije sfeer. Gezellige winkelstraatjes slingeren zich door het oude centrum, waar je kleine boetiekjes, lokale ambachten en kleurrijke souvenirs vindt. In het weekend komt de stad extra tot leven met vrolijke marktkraampjes, waar je alles kunt vinden van vers fruit en geurige kruiden tot handgemaakte sieraden en traditionele lekkernijen.
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.
The Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn is an exceptionally complete and well-preserved medieval northern European trading city on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
The city developed as a significant centre of the Hanseatic League during the major period of activity of this great trading organization in the 13th-16th centuries.
Tintern Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Tyndyrn) was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It is situated adjacent to the village of Tintern in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, which at this location forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England. It was the first Cistercian foundation in Wales, and only the second in Britain (after Waverley Abbey).
The west front of the church, with its seven-light Decorated window, was completed around 1300. The abbey fell into ruin after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Its remains have been celebrated in poetry and painting from the 18th century onwards. In 1984, Cadw took over responsibility for managing the site. Tintern Abbey is visited by approximately 70,000 people every year.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
Evening twilight on 28 February at All Saints', West Lavington. The following sunrise was in the spring!
All Saints' Church is in the Wiltshire village of West Lavington (population 1,500; 5 miles/8 km south of Devizes). The earliest parts of the building date to the 12th Century, with the nave likely forming the original structure. Evidence suggests a Saxon church may have existed on the site earlier, though little remains to confirm this beyond reused stones in the south porch doorway. In the late 13th and early 14th Centuries, the church was expanded with the addition of a north aisle, south aisle, and north transept. The chancel also dates to this period, built in greensand rubble and squared stone, with limestone ashlar added later.
The west tower was constructed in the 13th Century and raised to its current height in the 14th Century.
In 1847, the famous diocesan architect for the Diocese of Salisbury, TH Wyatt, reworked the church, updating elements like the east end’s triple lancets while preserving its medieval core.
The materials used in construction—greensand, limestone, and slate roofing—reflect local resources and practical construction choices. All Saints is a Grade I listed building.
Holy Cross is the parish church in the Wiltshire village of Seend (pop. 1,132), just outside Devizes. It is part of the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury. The west tower dates to the 14th Century (with a 15th Century bell stage), most of the church dates slightly later, to around 1450, with the North Aisle rebuilt in 1498, and the chancel much more modern, being largely the product of an 1876 ‘restoration’ by A.J. Style.
Copyright © Phil Dodd 2016, All Rights Reserved. This shot shows the wonderful architecture in those big arches & the beautiful stained glass windows - it was taken from the central walkway facing the Nave.
Thanks for looking and / or commenting,
Best Regards,
Phil.
A Plaza Mayor de Ciudad Rodrigo é o coração histórico e social da cidade, mantendo o traçado medieval original e refletindo a arquitetura civil castelhana preservada nos edifícios em pedra arenisca dos séculos XVI e XVII. Envolvida por varandas de ferro forjado e arcadas térreas típicas, a praça serviu tradicionalmente como centro comercial e administrativo da localidade, palco de mercados, eventos públicos e, outrora, touradas. Destaca-se o Ayuntamiento, edifício renascentista com arcadas e torre sineira. A cidade, fortificada desde o século XII e com um papel estratégico nas Guerras Peninsulares, preserva vestígios históricos como as Três Colunas romanas, integradas no brasão da cidade, testemunhando a sua rica herança.
The Plaza Mayor in Ciudad Rodrigo is the historical and social heart of the city, maintaining its original medieval layout and reflecting the Castilian civil architecture preserved in the 16th and 17th century sandstone buildings. Surrounded by wrought iron balconies and typical ground floor arcades, the square has traditionally served as the commercial and administrative center of the town, hosting markets, public events, and, in the past, bullfights. The Ayuntamiento, a Renaissance building with arcades and a bell tower, stands out. The city, fortified since the 12th century and with a strategic role in the Peninsular Wars, preserves historical remains such as the Three Roman Columns, integrated into the city's coat of arms, bearing witness to its rich heritage.
Happily secluded and little affected by the present times, Holcombe Old Church has been left on its own since the village moved a mile away, with a new St Andrew’s in the main street opened in 1885. That is now the parish church, and this is now a disused church under the care of the Churches’ Conservation Trust; the information in this description is taken either from their helpful guide or the Rev’d Clarissa Cridland’s slightly longer history.
A Saxon church once stood here, but the present building is a small, unassuming, partly Norman construction in shell grey, serenely placed against deep woods, hiding a stream, and green hills.
The earliest notice of the church ‘is to be found in the acts of Bishop Reginald (1174–91) creating the prebends of Holcombe, White Lackington and Timberscombe, in the cathedral Church of Wels.’ One block of limestone, however, has inscriptions which are difficult to decipher but are almost certainly Saxon, perhaps indicating the first church on this site was dedicated by Wrotard, Archbishop of York on his way to or from the Exeter Council of Easter 928.
A surviving Saxon stone church really would be a big deal, but most of the present church dates from the Norman church-building boom of the 12th Century, with alterations in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
We do not have a precise date for the construction of the tower, but the many Somerset churches, like this one, with their fine square towers with windows of vertical lines, started being built from end of the 14th century onwards: the Black Death caused a shortage of skilled craftsmen for the earlier, more elaborate Decorated style.
The porch gable incorporates a recut Norman arch, with a zigzag around it. Above the arch, in place of the keystone, is a 16th-century carved angel with wings outstretched and arms folded.