"The Most Beautiful Building in the World"- Durham Cathedral

This is a lovely view of the inside of the Durham Cathedral. We were not allowed to take pictures inside which we respectfully adhered to, so we bought postcards and scanned them.  The photo does not do justice to the rose window.  On both sides are choir lofts put in sometime later.  On the right, but not seen very well is the alter. The Prince Bishop sent messengers all over Europe to measure alters-even the Pope's. Then his was constructed to be the highest. The tiled floor is a replica of one in West Minster Abbey and is only here by the choir.  Behind the communion table at the end is an incredible screen carved from stone in France. It looked to be very fragile. Behind it you can see the windows on the other side.

This is the Galilee Chapel built at the opposite end on the Cathedral (originally build for the women to stand in).  As you enter, you see the "mason marks" on the door frames. These identified the mason who did the rockwork so they could get paid. Have you ever heard of making your mark? It originated from this practice.  In this chapel were the remains of the Venerable Bede. I remember him from English literature. He is the father of English history and a very early writer. The Bede died in 735. The carving on the tops of the arches looked like early mosques.  When the Cathedral was new, it was filled with colorful decorations on the walls.  A few glimses can still be seen.  As the walls were cleaned in recent years, drawings were found representing how each of the 12 apostles died.  The drawings are up near the ceiling here in the Galilee room.