Ely Cathedral

Dave's now been to a cathedral that I haven't visited - a first! Back here in England, I went to Ely (ee-lee) on Tuesday. (It was recommended by our minister, Lucy, who just had a baby girl last Wednesday!) Most cathedrals are relatively symmetric, but as you can see, this one is not. The west end used to have 2 transepts, but when the northwest one fell down in the 15th century, it was never replaced. This allows you to see the Lady Chapel on the far left, which is also unusual, because its traditional location is at the east end of a building, straight back from the entrance doors you see.



Once inside, there is a labyrinth directly under the west tower. It's the first one I've noticed in England.



To the left of the labyrinth, a sculpture is on the wall where the northwest transept used to be. The official name of Ely Cathdral is the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Can you now see the numbers 1, 2, and 3?



There is beautiful symmetry in the Norman or Romanesque architecture of the nave. Later additions to the cathedral move from these rounded arches to the pointed arches of various Gothic styles - Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular. (By now I may even be able to distinguish among the 3 of them!)



Many cathedrals are built in the shape of a cross, with a square tower rising above the center. When the original (and traditional) Norman tower fell down in 1322, it was replaced with an octagon and lantern tower.



Standing at the crossing, this is what it looks like from the inside. Oh for a chance to climb up there....