Another view of York Minster, this time from the north side, showing the octagonal Chapter House (jutting out left with the pointed roof) and the central tower. You can climb the tower for an exhilarating view across the city, but I didn't this time as it was so windy. This side of the church has a pleasant garden, a nice quiet spot in the middle of the busy city.
The building has several times been damaged by fire. The most recent (as Jack commented yesterday) was in July 1984 when lightning struck the building and a fire broke out in the south transept. The resulting damage, including the beautiful Rose Window, took over four years to repair. The Minster constantly undergoes restoration; there is nearly always some part of it shrouded in scaffolding. There are stonemasons and glass restorers working permanently on site. At the moment they are working on the glass of the Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass anywhere in the world.
Good old York Minster! Another beautiful photograph. Been there several times.
ReplyDeleteThose workers are following the tracks of those who were working there so many centuries ago.It's moving when you think of it
ReplyDeleteHave you observed the unique view of the Minster from the third floor of M&S, (the cafe)? This is the only full length view of the minster you can obtain from a public building in York.
ReplyDeleteNo, missed that, Siegfried, even though I went in M&S (of course!) I didn't enter the café. Will have to remember that for next time!
ReplyDeleteI love York Minster. Even if a person is taking a trip to London, it is worth a few day' side trip to visit York and the Minster.
ReplyDeleteI've climbed to the top of the tower. There were a great many stairs, but the view was worth it! (It would be a bit fierce on a blustery day though!!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! It's wonderful that it is being taken care of.
ReplyDeleteBoth views are wonderful. It is a beautiful structure.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that is the part that I climbed! And, thanks for explaining the 1984 fire.
ReplyDeleteIn business I was involved with some very long-term projects, which would not be completed during the normal tenure of the CEO or the senior officers who were responsible for initiating the projects. The idea of launching something we knew we wouldn't be around to see finished was described as "cathedral thinking," by analogy to those who started building places like York Minster knowing that they would not be finished in the lifetimes of those responsible for conceiving and launching them.
Wonderful architecture! ~Lili
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