Ely Cathedral

Lisa and Ben suggested we head out to Ely to check out the cathedral.  Now we’ve seen quite a few churches this trip, and weren’t sure that this would be entirely necessary, however, etiquette dictated our obeisance.  Are we ever glad we did.  This bad boy goes up against Strasbourg for greatness.

Particularly cool, is that one can tour the rood and “lantern,” or octagonal area on the roof.  This makes for spectacular views.  And of course, the tour finishes with tea and cakes.

Ely is surrounded by flatlands.  One can see the cathedral from miles away in all directions.  I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like to people coming this way in the Middle Ages.

Wikipedia Entry:

Ely Cathedral has its origins in AD 672 when St Etheldreda built an Abbey Church. The present building dates back to 1083, and cathedral status was granted it in 1109. Until the reformation it was the Church of St Etheldreda and St Peter, at which point it was refounded as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely, continuing as the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. Architecturally it is outstanding both for its scale and stylistic details. Having been built in a monumental Romanesque style, the galilee porch, lady chapel and choir were rebuilt in an exuberant Decorated Gothic. Its most famous feature however is the central Octagonal tower, with lantern above, which provides a spectacular internal space and, along with the West Tower, gives a unique exterior landmark that dominates the surrounding landscape.

Click on any picture for slideshow mode:

Looking up at the lantern

The lantern is constructed with oak beams, the largest of which were 60 feet long. It is estimated that some of the wood is over 1000 years old.

Looking up at the lantern

Some of the lower notes on the organ

Special Bonus – Stained Glass Museum

Off to the side is the National Stained Glass Museum.  It features background and samples from the Middle Ages to today.