Glimpses of Norwich Catherdral

 

Like many cities around the UK and Europe, there is a cathedral that dominates the skyline. Norwich is no exception - with the largely Norman style having been constructed between 1096 and 1145. Fortunately it escaped serious damage during the WW2 bombing and has many original features. 

We had a guided tour which informed us of some of the history. The photo below shows the "stone" roof as it is now (obviously as I have a photo of it!). The original roof was timber but that was long ago lost in medieval times and replaced with the current style as they had figured out how to do that by then. Down the centre line you can see a series of embossed & painted carvings. Our guide always used the phrase "when the roof was turned to stone" during his commentary ... kind of invokes the whole act of faith thing I thought!

The image below shows a close up of the final of the 14 sections; this one depicting the crucifixion and the last of the 7 from the new testament - the first 7 from the old testament. Each of the arms and outer sections represent a different scene from each story that feeds into the main theme of each section ... very clever imagery.

Here are some views showing the two main sections of the cathedral and a view down one of the four sides of the cloisters (the largest in scale and intact in the UK) and looking through a "window" of the cloisters to the spire ... an attempt at framing the view :) ... you be the judge! The bright light in the centre of the top left one is the large organ pipes and the crucifixes are all covered for lent. The view along the cloisters is a little eerie as it just seems to disappear in the distance, but the "black door" in the centre at the end takes a left hand bend to the next side of the cloisters :). 

Two final images to share ... below left is an unusual baptismal font that was a chocolate making urn (no kidding!). Legend has it the water has a faint chocolate taint to this day :) ... and with Easter nigh too! Bottom right is a column showing some of the original stone the Normans brought over from France (Normandy) for the construction because if was easier to ferry across than cart by horse from other places in the UK (because of the lack of stone on this quality in East Anglia). 

 

A final piece of trivia is that the exclusive (Anglican) Norwich School sits within the extensive grounds of the cathedral ... if you revisit the very first photo of this post, the green in the foreground is the school cricket oval. When I first saw it from the river bank I thought it was the local county cricket ground it looked so fantastic, even on such a grim and overcast day.

Another day we will visit the Catholic Cathedral (St John the Baptist) ... we have been walking past it regularly. It is not as big, nor does it have a spire, just a tower ... but as with many catholic cathedrals and churches it is on arguably the highest hill in the city!