But since one of the first things we did on the day after our late arrival in Ripon was a walk round the market square and to the cathedral, these are the first pictures after yesterday's post you'll get to see.
Even if a visitor is not religious, I guess the cathedral will not fail to impress - its sheer size and beauty is awe-inspiring. What I like most about it, though, is the "lived in" atmosphere. Unlike many grand old churches in Germany, which feel like museums where you don't even dare speak properly but just whisper, there is always something happening in the cathedral.
There are Welcomers near the entrance, greeting everyone friendly and answering questions or, if you wish so, just let you wander at will.
People go about whatever business they have in the cathredral; they may be members of the choir, or setting up things for the next service, preparing an exhibition or work behind the scenes for the community.
See the illuminated hand above the archway connecting the main nave with the choir? I find that hand a bit spooky and wasn't sure what it was there for, but an information sheet told us it is a wooden hand that can be moved by a mechanism and was used to conduct the choir. Apparently, it still works, but nowadays the choir is conducted by a person.
Of course, those of you who are familiar with Lewis Carroll and his work know that apparently, he was inspired to write how Alice went down the rabbit hole and ended up in Wonderland while looking at this carving on one of the choir stalls. You can see a bird of prey catching one rabbit, while another one is just disappearing down a hole.
No matter how many times I've been already to Ripon Cathedral, I still find details I've not noticed before, or can't remember from previous visits.
For instance, the sad story of this little boy was touching; I thought of the grief his parents must have felt, mirrored by many, many other parents who have lost a child:
You know I have a "thing" for doors and doorways (see this post for an explanation), and of course there are many to be found at the cathedral. Here are two of them:
The cathedral has, by the way, a rather good gift shop where one can buy not just "churchy" things (which I wouldn't buy anyway, as my faith is not in objects), but a good collection of greeting cards and many other things, mostly related to Ripon and Yorkshire. Buying a little something there helps to keep this place up (at York Minster, for instance, visitors are expected to pay 10 pounds to look round!), and so we both spent a little bit of money at the Cathedral.
It was our first but not our last visit to this beautiful place in the course of our holiday.
If ever I am in England again, I will surely visit Yorkshire which I have never seen and Ripon and this cathedral. I am glad to hear there is so much life in it. It seems very beautiful. I never heard that story about Lewis Carroll, so thank you for that bit of information, Meike!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Kristi!
DeleteI am glad my posts about Yorkshire in general and Ripon in particular make you want to visit. I am sure you'd really love it here.
Very impressive cathedral and I understand why you return. I could certainly spend some time there wandering around looking at various details too!
ReplyDeleteIt is a truly great place; my photos don't half do it justice.
DeleteHow lovely it all is. If I ever get to visit England I will definitely put it on my list of stops. Thank you for sharing, Meike!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jennifer - and thank YOU for taking the time to read and comment!
DeleteI have a thing for doors too, so enjoyed those photos. A good gift shop at the end of a tour is lovely - a little something for oneself and the possibility of a gift or two for someone at home.
ReplyDeleteNice to know I'm not the only one to have a thing for doors!
DeleteSome giftshops are ghastly, but this one is rather good.
I fear that if I ever got to visit there, I would spend hours in Ripon Cathedral and they would go by very quickly for me! Thanks for the photos!
ReplyDeleteAnd I did not know that Lewis Carroll was inspired by the carvings from the cathedral but it makes sense, he spent a great deal of time in churches. I know the one that he attended while he was in Eastbourne!
Love your photos!
Oh see, I love your photos so much, I told you that twice! :-)
DeleteThank you, Kay, I'm glad you like them!
DeleteIf you go to this post from 2012 and scroll down to the very last photo, it shows the house where Lewis Carroll lived as a boy. His Dad was canon in Ripon.
The architectural historian Niklaus Pevsner greatly admired Ripon Cathedral - especially the aesthetically balanced western facade. It was one of his favourite twelve architectural gems in all of England.
ReplyDeleteConsidering how many great and beautiful buildings there are in all of England, making it to the list of Top Twelve really is something!
DeleteI share your 'thing' about doors and although I have no religious beliefs I still find that some cathedrals and churches can have a warming and sometimes (as with Rheims Cathedral) a profound affect on me. It's something that we have and which I treasure all the more having toured the churches of many part of New Zealand where a hundred years old is almost ancient.
ReplyDeleteYes, I suppose such places can have an effect on people of any - or no - faith, it is the sheer age and beauty of them, coupled with today's atmosphere.
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