Walking up to Ely Cathedral

The Ely Cathedral is the center point of the city.

One of my favourite Cathedrals in England is definitely Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. I have visited this Cathedral  a couple of times now and every time I have been amazed at the beauty and architecture of this Cathedral.  Ely is only a 25 minute drive from my parents house so it is one of the first places my mother takes any visitors from South-Africa. The Cathedral is filled with many different architectural styles, all blending together to make a striking whole. History abounds around every corner, and the beauty created by artists in wood, stone and glass is seen everywhere.           

Ely Cathedral is the only UK building to be listed as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages”. Visible for miles around, the Cathedral is often referred to as “The Ship of the Fens”. The Fens a coastal plain in eastern England so is very, very flat.

Entering the beautiful Cathedral

The entrance hall of the Cathedral

The city of Ely may be small in comparison to other cities but its Cathedral is a magnificent structure with a history dating back over 1300 years. Despite its remoteness, Ely has an association with well known Kings & Saints who have shaped the history of England.

Such beautiful glass stained windows

Ely Cathedral, a wonder of the Middle Ages

The Cathedral was first a monastery, built in 673 A.D it was destroyed by the Danes after 200 years. The present structure dates from 1081 and is a remarkable example of both Romanesque and Norman architecture.

A lot of detail has been lost but most of the carvings survive

Such intricate carvings

 It was during the early part of the 12th Century the existing monastic church achieved Cathedral status and since that time there have been various additions, changes and restorations throughout the centuries. Some parts of the cathedral have very intricate stone or wooden angel carvings, which look quite gothic.

My friend Yve on her first visit to the Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

The plan of the building is cross-shapedand has massive oil warmers to keep the Cathedral heated during winter. But because the Cathedral is so huge it was only slightly warmer than outside and we kept our gloves and jackets on while exploring.

At certain times of the day there are free tours of the Cathedral that is a must if you want to learn a lot about its rich history and architecture.

The painted panels depict The Jesse Tree, and move from Creation to Revelation

The nave with its magnificently painted ceiling

The nave is over 75 m long and is actually the third longest in the UK, and the same length as Ely High Street. Walking down this nave my eyes were turned upwards towards it’s spectacular roof of painted panels which depict the Jesse Tree, and move from Creation to Revelation. This story can be seen as you walk from the West End up to the Crossing, and believe me by the time we reached the crossing my neck was hurting.

Ely Cathedral, a wonder of the Middle Ages

The Lantern Tower

Looking up into the Lantern Tower

The Nave’s imposing Gothic columns led us from the main West Door to another feature unique to this Cathedral and definitely my favourite part of the Cathedral. This octagonal shaped tower, known as the ‘Lantern Tower’ which is 23 m wide and 52 m high is a wonder of the mediaeval world and globally recognised as a masterpiece of engineering. The masterful coloured panels, designed by George Gilbert Scott, open out creating a spectacular view as you look up into this tower. Although it is supported on eight massive masonry piers, the lantern itself is constructed from oak timbers

Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

The wooden angels below the windows of the Cathedral

The angels painted below the windows are purely Victorian inventions, a product of the restoration under Thomas Gambier Parry in 1874. I think they are a fabulous addition to this beautiful Cathedral.

Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

Where the Cathedral choir sings

Ely is one of the few remaining Cathedrals to have resident choristers. The boys’ choir has been part of the English Choral tradition since the mid-16th century and can be traced back considerably further to the time of King Canute. Today the world famous choir consists of some 22 boy choristers and six adult lay clerks, and can be heard most evenings at Choral Evensong as well as on Sundays and Feast Days.

Look at the beautiful windows!

Ely Cathedral

Inside the Beautiful Lady Chappel

The chancel connecting the Cathedral with the Lady Chappel

The Lady Chapel in Ely Cathedral is a great example of early English Gothic,

Inside the Lady Chapel!

In 1321 work began on a massive (100′ long by 46′ wide) free-standing Lady Chapel the largest of its kind in the UK. It is linked to the cathedral by covered walkways. I am always struck not only by its size but by  the extraordinary sense of light and vastness of this magnificent space. This beauty is tempered by the destructiveness of the Reformation, as many of the carved figures in the walls are either beheaded or defaced.

I am sure this Cathedral will see me again on my next visit to England.

  Published as part of Throwback Thursday. It is a weekly reminiscent movement where you re-post past events or photos. They can be from years ago or from just a few days ago. Its a great way to look back fondly on some of your favorite memories……