a fine façade

Posted by
grouser (Ludlow, United Kingdom) on 20 June 2011 in Architecture and Portfolio.

The façade of the Cathedral in a bit more detail. Wells is the smallest city in the UK and the only one in Somerset, yet boasts this magnificent building that rivals Westminster Abbey in its beauty.
I may be a trifle erratic visiting you over the next while as I'm entering a rather frantic phase but I will get there at some point I promise:)

Comments (15)

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

Great shots of this incredible gothic architecture!

20 Jun 2011 6:03am

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

It's an amazing little city which from the outside looks like a camp with all of its followers huddled around the "big chief".

20 Jun 2011 6:59am

CElliottUK from Reading, United Kingdom

When I see shots like this, it just makes me think of all the artisans that built it, and the architects who designed it in the first place. Truly talented folk

20 Jun 2011 7:04am

@CElliottUK: It was before architects as such really existed Chris. As I understand it things were worked out by master masons using what they considered to be sacred geometry. Different masons would have varying theories about what was sacred. This can be identified in some buildings where work stopped for a time while funds were being raised. By the time more money was available the original mason would have gone on to work somewhere else and a new one would be employed, subtly altering the geometric principles and even the orientation of the building to fit in with what he believed. I read a fascinating analysis of one such cathedral in France where seven distinct masons were identified as being involved in the building process. Although the building is noted for its harmonious appearance it is in fact constructed with a hotch-potch of mathematical theories. So much for architects:)

thami from Morocco

Quel travail digne du grand art !
Bonne journée lumineuse!

20 Jun 2011 8:01am

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

It does start to look like a giant mathematical puzzle when viewed this way . . and, yes, one does see places with a definite 'watermark' where a new mason took over . .

20 Jun 2011 9:48am

Florence from Paris, France

Very nice presentation and focus on details.

20 Jun 2011 10:22am

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

great details .

20 Jun 2011 11:35am

Rick from Toronto, Canada

Jaw dropping work on this stunning facade. Your text reminds me of several churches that are grand beyond the scale of their surroundings in the Acadian part of Nova Scotia, though there is no possible comparison to this jewel.

20 Jun 2011 12:12pm

Don from Spokane, United States

I like the detail in your shots of this marvelous cathedral. It's interesting to see the difference in impact of the two views. Excellent detail and color in your shots. What a great building for this city to have.

20 Jun 2011 1:53pm

Mhelene from Paris, France

Great framing and splendid details !

20 Jun 2011 2:03pm

Adela Fonts from Barcelona, Spain

Superb detail in this facade ... A wonderful friend ... Thanks for the explanation! ... A hug, Adela

20 Jun 2011 2:42pm

kiwisa from North Shore, New Zealand

The detailed shots are great, they were really mastercraftsmen to design and build these wonderful buildings.

20 Jun 2011 8:42pm

Philip from South Wales, United Kingdom

2 photos for the price of 1! Such great detail. Makes you think of the enormous work and planning that went on building these things and why they took so long to complete.

20 Jun 2011 10:17pm

Becky from los angeles, United States

Amazing.

22 Jun 2011 10:54pm

Marie from FRESNES, France

superbe façade, bien présentée.

25 Jun 2011 5:20pm

next day →

grousers snapshots