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| A choir rehersal provided us with a mighty soundtrack. |
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| The cathedral is absolutely stunning and so large that it´s impossible to capture in one shot. |
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| A rather long and narrow path up the tower; some were quite puffed out when we got up. |
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| Gargoyles, seen from above. |
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| A pretty spectacular view in all directions. This is east, I think. |
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| The view over town... |
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| ... from where one could hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna. |
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| In the basement one could se remains from the previous Norman church. |
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| The Minster has been near collapse due to a fracturing foundation. |
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| Now you can see the concrete reinforcements all around the foundation. It looks rather reassuring. |
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| This elephant tusk drinking horn was presented to the Minster, filled with wine and placed on the altar, in 1030 by a Viking lord named Ulf. Isn´t it gorgeous? |
Stunning space, and that view looks worth the climb. It's a bit scary to think of something that size having foundation issues, but I'm always amazed that structures like that have endured so long.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Hare Krishna from the late 60s-early 70s (from the Beatles and their airports presence), but I didn't realize they were still around.
I think the Brits have so many old buildings remaining because they build in stone, unlike us, who build (mostly) in wood. They really understand stone. There is a stone mason´s shop outside the cathedral, he was there five years ago and I guess they are constantly working on some part of the cathedral.
DeleteIt seems like the modern British cities exist because of the bombings. In Sweden, old wood cities were demolished in the 60´s because of the risk of fire, and the lice inflictions. It was difficult and expensive to install sanitation like toilets and such in those old (and quaint) houses. In England you still see houses with plumbing on the outside of the walls, which is really weird to us. Once we ate in a building that had been standing since the 16th century!