In an incredibly picturesque place, where as many as five tributaries of the Avon River merge together, there is a small town in Wiltshire County in England - Salisbury. The city gained wide popularity not only in its own country, but throughout the world thanks to the highest in the UK, the majestic Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which can rightfully be put on the same line with Notre Dame in Paris and the Duomo in Milan. A bright representative of English Gothic is better known as Salisbury Cathedral. Salisbury and its main attraction are discussed below.
History of Creation
The cathedral owes its idea to the insurmountable differences between representatives of the nobility and church leadership from neighboring settlements. In 1219, the Diocese decides to build a cathedral 2 km from the ancient settlement of Old Sarum on an open plain. Building plotwas donated by the we althy Bishop Richard Poore, and according to legend, the cathedral was founded on the site where a deer fell dead from an arrow fired by a bishop.
It took a little less than 40 years to build the cathedral in Salisbury (England). At the initial stage of work, the architect Eliash Derhem led. The main construction continued in the period 1220-1258, the cathedral was consecrated, and later the towers, the chapter hall, the huge cloister and the world famous spire weighing 6500 tons were completed. The last finishing works were completed 100 years later. And today the cathedral appears before us in the same form in which it was originally planned, which is evidence of the skill of the builders of the Middle Ages.
The construction was not without additional problems, which the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren successfully coped with. During the construction of the spire, it was necessary to install reinforcing supports to distribute its huge weight, and the overestimated groundwater level led to an additional deepening of the foundation. All stages of construction can be seen on a detailed layout displayed in the cathedral.
Emerald lawns stretching around, favorably emphasize the grandeur and luxury of Salisbury Cathedral, and its spire is perfectly visible from all sides.
Decoration and appearance
The cathedral is rightfully considered Salisbury's jewel: its fabulously beautiful facades, stunning interior and beautiful stained-glass windows can be viewed for hours. gable surfacedecorated with geometric ornaments and sculptures with the faces of saints in niches. A place of honor is given to the statue of the founder of the cathedral, Richard Poore. Unfortunately, many of the original ancient statues have not been preserved and today have been replaced by modern copies.
The sun's rays, penetrating through large stained-glass windows, shimmer with bright colors and illuminate the orderly rows of columns and fantastic vaults. Light-coloured piers contrasting with dark polished Purbeck marble, colorful stained-glass windows and brightly painted arches make an unforgettable impression.
Inside along the walls are monuments and carved tombstones of bishops and noble citizens who had a hand in the prosperity of this place. How the regimental standards of the British units are exhibited.
The pipe organ, installed in 1877, fully compensates for the absence of bells, its pure sound accompanies worship.
Magna carta
The most valuable relic of Salisbury Cathedral, a surviving copy of the Magna carta - the Magna Carta - a declaration that stood at the origins of the modern constitution, is on public display in the library building.
The first legislative document regulating human rights was dated and sealed with the royal seal of the morally deprived John the Landless back in 1215. The en titlement act included 63 paragraphs, 3 of which have not lost their normative force to date. In 2009year by UNESCO, the Great Manuscript was included in the Memory of the World program.
Vintage clocks
Along with its architectural uniqueness, the cathedral boasts the oldest clock in England without the usual dial, mounted on a tower. It is noteworthy that the mechanism launched in 1386 is still working. Slowly turning, the cogwheels of the ancient clock count the passage of time, and with a very small error.
Modern Landmark
In the central part of the cathedral there is an unusual, stunning fountain-font with flowing water on its four sides. The surface of the water in it is so smooth that it reflects everything like a mirror. To achieve this result allowed 10 years of calculations and calculations. The opening of this attraction in 2008 was timed to coincide with the 750th anniversary of the consecration of Salisbury Cathedral. The solemn service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Each visitor pauses for a while near the font, looking with interest at the ceiling vaults of the cathedral, reflected on the water surface.
The famous painting "View of Salisbury Cathedral"
The graceful and at the same time majestic building of the cathedral against the backdrop of a picturesque landscape inspired many artists. His most impressive work was considered the canvas "View of the Cathedral in Salisbury" and John Constable. At the request of Bishop Fisher, the English landscape painter set to work on the painting in 1829. He often visited the cathedral, makingsketches and choosing the most favorable angle under different weather conditions. There are several versions of the picture. Since the customer did not like the first canvas very much, a new version was written. Cathedral in the gap of shady trees after a storm. The plot had a special meaning not only for the artist, but also for his old friend Fischer. The question of the need to reform the English Church was discussed in society, and the conservative Constable considered this an encroachment on the most sacred. Constable depicted the rainbow over Salisbury Cathedral as a symbol of hope that hard times will be left behind and old traditions will be revived.
Interesting facts
- Temple with the largest area of 80 acres.
- The 123-meter spire is the tallest in Britain.
- The bypass covered cloister is the longest.
- The pipe organ is one of the largest in Britain.
- The set of choir pews in the cathedral is the oldest in the country.
- The clock on the cathedral tower is the oldest with a working mechanism.
For almost 800 years, daily services have been held in the temple. It is rightfully considered one of the most stunning medieval cathedrals in England.
