The best part is the ceiling.
This is the entrance to St. Mary's Guildhall. I used to work here soon after I moved to England. I was always in awe of my surroundings but I don't ever recall appreciating the detail here as much as I do now. Across the street is Coventry Cathedral.
The central portion of the sculpture, known as the Coronation of the Virgin, is easily missed in this passage between Bayley Lane and the courtyard entrance to St. Mary's Guildhall. (And, it is hard to photograph too. Must bring a tripod.)
Construction of the Guildhall started around 1342. From what I can gather, the sculptures possibly date back to the late 1300s.
Join me by visiting other places worldwide - Our World Tuesday.
15 comments:
Lovely shots!
Isn't that always the case? It's human nature to appreciate something even more once you're no longer around it all the time. Amazing, ornate detail.
oh what a beautiful place to work! what did you do there?
I can't imagine being so lucky to work in such a place. Do you think you notice the detail more, since you've been photographing your neighborhood? I feel that blogging has made me more observant, in general.
love history, love love british history .. and love those carvings ... how lucky you were to work in such a gorgeous place
Very very impressive!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Thanks, ladyfi & Gary
SRQ - I was always in a rush and now that I am retired I can slow down a bit...ha ha!
Daryl - I do feel lucky. My best story about working there was when USA was celebrating its bi-centennial. I was excited and 200 is a big number. My boss said to me, 'Lauren, that's great but did you know this building you are working in is 500 years old.' Gosh!
Tanya - I worked at the Magistrates' Court which, for a number of years, was housed in St. Mary's Hall and Draper's Hall.
Adele - I was very lucky. And, absolutely true about photography! I am really grateful for that.
How very very lucky you worked in such magnificent surroundings. I also believe it's true we appreciate things more after the fact, but how lovely you can rediscover - and share! - this beautiful place anew via photoblogging!
I remember ceilings like this at Oxford. Funny to think of them as the fashion! They really do strike awe in one's heart.
What a beautiful example of ornate ceiling carving, worth getting a crick in the neck!
WOW... I love it!
This is really beautiful. Congratulations on the fine photographs.
Living in a very 'young' country it always blows me away to think of churches and cathedrals being around for so many hundreds of years. That's why j'adore seeing images like these. Thanks so much LOL.
Beautiful details..
More comments - Thank you!
Lulu - 'Rediscover' is a good way to describe how I feel.
Thanks, Jack. Too kind!
Petrea - I know how you love England and when you walk through corridors like this and see the occasional castle dotted around - no wonder why :).
Deb - Not only the neck, I was having problems holding the camera steady above my head. A challenge!
PerthDP - I complete relate to what you are saying about these historic buildings. They are something.
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