Saturday 1 June 2013

June Theme Day - The Beauty Of Decay...


... as depicted by the stained glass windows in the Old Coventry Cathedral ruins.




Hundreds of years old are these 
fragments of glass.  Some still in place
after the Coventry Blitz of 1940.




The first photograph is taken from outside the window over the main entrance 
to the west of the Cathedral ruins. The photo (above) is looking out 
that same window. The spire you can see belongs to 
Holy Trinity Church (almost next door).



As you approach the Old Cathedral from the City Centre, 
you can enter through what was the main entrance.
See our window above the door?


And just for completeness, I'll add the photo I used yesterday of the view from the alter 
looking back towards the Spire and the main entrance (our window above).



For more theme day photographs, please join me by following the link to City Daily Photo Theme Day.

Have a good weekend all and be happy!


45 comments:

Ineke said...

Beautiful!!

Marleen said...

That is amazing how the glass is still there.. Beautiful photo's!

Jo said...

Agree with Marleen re the glass.
Wonderful photos

Jim said...

Amazing architecture.

Tamera said...

Very beautiful! Such a sunny day, too... part of me wishes you'd had a dreary, foggy day to photograph this ancient edifice. You are so lucky to have this much history around you! Where I live, the oldest building is no more than 150 years old. When I visited England a few years ago, I couldn't believe the age of the buildings and the villages everywhere I went, some more than 1,000 years old! So amazing.

Red Nomad OZ said...

The ruins are so picturesque it's amazing that an architect doesn't actually design them like that in the first place!! Wonderful!!

Daryl said...

perfection!

Gerald (SK14) said...

They have made a good job of preserving the ruins - I really should visit Coventry some day.

Kate said...

The top photo obviously has some history as well as decay.

wilf said...

Is gorgeous!

VP said...

An impressive memento and a still beautiful building!

Tanya Breese said...

wow, that is gorgeous...i love the bits of broken glass...incredible! have a great weekend!!

Nancy said...

Gorgeous architecture and photos. xo

Kris said...

omg, this give me a heartache...
such beautiful works left abandoned.
But I do think it is more intriguing in this state..
thanks for sharing!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Jackpot LOL, arches and rust with touch of stained glass thrown in..fabulous combination. Really beautiful images for the theme.

LONDONLULU said...

It's beautiful and I love seeing it from all these different perspectives! Wonderful views all around - I feel like I'm slowly getting a "fuller" picture of the structure too:) If only those walls (and amazing glass) could talk!

Cloudia said...

This meme was lobbed right to your strength! Nice job as always :-)


Aloha

Suzanne said...

Oh WOW, although it breaks my heart to see a cathedral in ruin the archways and stained glass make for some beautiful shots.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

The ruins of St. Michael's Cathedral have been wonderfully preserved, truly a beautiful ruin. It is amazing that this 14th century spire survived the bombings. I would love to see it one day...

Then, I could meet you, Lauren.

Bises,
Genie

Sharon said...

It doesn't get any better than this! Perfect for the theme.

RedPat said...

Such a wonderful post for the day!

Stuart said...

I was lucky enough to visit this cathedral a few years ago. You captured it's essence beautifully. It is such a remarkable site...although nearly destroyed, it still retains its majesty.

cieldequimper said...

Sometimes I wonder if it couldn't have been restored...

Merisi said...

Humbling, to see what generations before us were capable of building, and how those buildings put up a really good fight against time's ravages.

paul said...

Interesting post and great images for the theme.

Peter van den Besselaar said...

Gives one the Inspector Morse feeling. I presume you know him?

Virginia said...

On now that top shot is just remarkable. Great choice for the theme!
V

Julie said...

I had simply thought vandals with rocks until I read your text, Lauren. Thank you for the variety of angles. Give a real appreciation of the beauty of man-wrought destruction.

come to that final image. See all the stones in the forecourt? Are they the ruins left to illustrate the bombing, possibly as memorials?

Thank you for your contribution to our Theme Day.

Minoru Saito said...

Hi! Wonderful photos. THank you for sharing.

Jack said...

Your first photo today is really eye-catching.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Hate to see those old buildings in that shape. But, love job capturing them to share!

Lynette said...

You've created a fabulous post for Theme Day. Thanks for taking the time to describe what we're seeing/looking for in the photos. I also appreciate the link to the info about the Coventry Blitz.

Randy said...

Beautiful selection for theme day.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

You quite caught me by surprise. I figured the ruins were caused by Henry VIII not the Blitz! Then surprised again that it was not restored after the war. Perfect for Theme Day.

Carraol said...

Extraordinary architecture, beautiful images of this amazing ruins!

Birdman said...

So historic too. What a church!

Deb said...

Catching up on theme day after a weekend away. Didn't realise any glass was left in the windows, really makes a pointed reminder of what was lost.

Adele said...

It's beautiful, Lauren! I really like all the perspectives. Great Theme Day post. Happy Sunday (or what's left of it, for you!).

MurciaDailyPhoto said...

It's a lovely old cathedral. It's a pity how it is now.

Tania said...

Wonderful place and perfect to use the camera.

Unknown said...

All is now revealed. It's good that a lot has been saved and amazing that some of the stained glass still remains.

I am also amazed that I am the 41st person to make a comment. I wonder where they have all come from & why they don't visit me.

LOLfromPasa said...

What can I say except 'Thank You' so very much. This theme day has been amazing. Everyone has been busier than ever commenting on each others blogs. Lovely to see. Julie at CDP has done a great job organising this for us. Have a great week all.

Unknown said...

This place is AMAZING! What better for theme day?! Love it.

TheChieftess said...

What a beautiful reminder...of such tragic results of war...

Mo said...

An impressive subject for theme day