Places of Interest in Durham
In the north East of England lays the city of Durham, in old English the word Durham comes from dun and in which the name translates into hill. In Old Norse language Durham means holme or roughly translated to island. It is believed that Durham has traces back to 2,000 Before Christ of some settlement and actual city traces to after death of the year of 995. Below you will learn about some excellent places to picnic and visit in Durham England.
1. Durham Cathedral
Around the year of 995 the Lindisfarne monks founded the Durham Cathedral after they had fled their homes when the Danish Vikings came raiding their homelands. The original building on the site had been torn down and the present one today was built in the year of 1093. Over the years Galilee Chapel, Western Towers, Chapel of the Nine Alters and then the central tower was rebuilt in 1465 and lasted until 1490. In the year of 1104 St. Cuthbert had passed away and found to be in great condition as they had believed he was embalmed.
Durham Cathedral is a wonderful place to visit inside of England, because it provides a wonderful view to the eye, has a ton of history dating back a good far amount of years. The Cathedral has many things to see available for the public to view including the monk’s dormitory, here they slept and today it does house part of the Cathedral’s library. Three libraries are throughout the Cathedral, the most visited library is the medieval monastic one. 17th and 18th century music can also be found in the monastic library of the cathedral, thus making it an interesting piece of history to be viewed.
The Tower within the Cathedral has 325 steps that lead upwards to the very top, providing an excellent view of the surro...
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... children and adults. This involve riding digger sandpit, pedal power tractors, computer digger games and indoor ball pit.
Diggerland in Durham provides on site restaurant. The Dig Inn offers fabulous Goodie Store, indoor play area, picnic areas and the Diggers Den. This restaurant is wheel-chair accessible along with free parking for coaches and cars. This area has toilet facilities and has excellent connections local public transport. You will get wide opportunities to take photos. You will also get a chance to learn about the workings of the machines from well-trained instructors continuously. Day out in Diggerland makes an immense difference. Families not only learn how these diggers work but also learn to drive them. Diggerland confirms a fun packed, sensational, action filled day out for all persons. This is one of the greatest attraction is Durham city.
The original Chartres Cathedral was designed by Fulbert and lasted until 1194, when a fire destroyed almost the entire church. The townspeople pulled together to make a large contribution to the reconstruction of the cathedral (Miller, Malcolm, Chartres Cathedral, Riverside Book Company, 1980, p.5). The present Chartres Cathedral is largely the work of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. However, there are substantial remains of older monuments, notably in the crypt and on the wes...
Ostensibly Durham Cathedral can be seen as the product of stability and prosperity brought by the Normans to the area that had previously been dominated by barbarity. At first glance this does appear to be the case as were the region impoverished and unimportant such a grand scale project would not have been possible. Certainly the first Norman Bishop of Durham, St Calais, was frequently involved in official Royal business and is described as “perhaps the most eminent Norman ecclesiastic in England” giving the impression that the north was important to the Normans as such an eminent figure would not have been placed there were Durham marginal to their interests. Thus the focus in this time period appears to move from warfare and regional separatism to a more civili...
Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. 1052-1062.
The whole structure was built in a hurry, possibly in an effort to solidify the conquest. It is not nearly a remarkable an object as the twin churches in Caen. However, due to its protective design, it is an impregnable fortress, and its history as a prison, the tower has carved its place in history. Work on the stone building and exterior walls was begun in 1077. The main building, included a small cathedral in one corner, and rises three stories.
Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. 1052-1062.
Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. 1052-1062.
...l of open-mindedness. “Cathedral” concerns the change in one man’s understanding of himself and the world. From the start of the story the narrator is restricted in his understanding to accept the blind man just as his wife has. He cannot fully wrap around the idea of what makes Robert so special. Until, that is, that the narrator starts drawing the cathedral which starts off as a house almost, and expands into something grander. This short story allows us to realize that the world is greater and further detailed than what we consider it in our confined minds. And that in fact we should never assume that there is nothing more to what the eye can see. It simply states that we shouldn’t form an opinion on someone or something based only on what you see on the exterior, because usually after taking the time to explore, the person or thing will not be what you expected.
This style of architecture first emerged in northern France around 1140. It started with the construction of great churches in Paris and evolved to more greater height, light, and volume. Later on, they used gothic architecture for secular buildings like castles, palaces, bridges, city walls, and gates. In England, two highly important buildings: Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey were created using Gothic architecture.
Akers, Tim. "Overview: 'Cathedral'." Short Stories for Students 6 (1999): 1-2. Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Wilson, Christopher. "Thirteenth-Century Gothic." The Gothic Cathedral: the Architecture of the Great Church 1130-1530. Reprinted ed. London: Thames & Hudson, 2008. 91-120. Print.
The San Vitale is primarily built of brick with a marble and mosaic interior. The ground plan consists of a octagonal organization with a central dome supported by a tall cylindrical drum. Separated by clerestory windows, is a dome in a concentric form of clay tubed rings and seven curved exedras connected to vaulted semi domes. At the main entrance of this chapel is a narthax making it off access from the adjustment apsidal chapels. On either side of the narthax is two projecting towers, one being a spiral stair tower and the other a bell tower. Connecting the central dome area and the ambulatory is 8 strong masonry pillars. The outer prism incorporates two levels of galleries with eccentric mosaics from floor to ceiling. Whether marble or mosaic stone, the monument fills t...
This cathedral was built during the Medieval Period for the worshipers of God. To this day pilgrims come to see the pure, Gothic cathedral. The massive cathedral seems to loom overhead as if a symbol of God watching over the worshippers that visit. The earlier church burned in 1194, it was rebuilt and has gained a much more appreciated and admirable character distinction, statuary, and stained glass. The distinct character of the thirteenth century was captured, through the “Age of Faith” period. The architecture is Gothic which was very popular in the 1200s. Gothic architects created a frame of support with columns and arches so that the walls no longer need to support the ceilings, but are freed up to hold windows. The Gothic structure allows for plenty of windows. Chartres has a significant collection of medieval stained glass, with over 150 early thirteenth century windows. The windows allowed sunlight to enter the dark, Gothic cathedral in order to highlight the story of Christ through the stained glass windows told throughout history to pilgrims alike. These windows create a spiritual and promising place for thought and prayer. Stained glass was used to help teach the stories of Christ to people that were illiterate during the medieval times. While most worshippers of that day were illiterate, comprehending the symbolism of the story of Christ in each of the windows was vital and gave meaning towards adversity during the medieval ages, as they struggled through their dark and dreary lives, which were filled with hopefulness, while viewing the story through the stained glass windows. The windows are also...
To begin with, the history of Christian church architecture is, obviously, a highly complex one, but it is important that one understands the evolution of the floor plans of Catholic churches to see how the changing shapes of churches reflects an extended analysis of Catholic belief and practice. According to Cunningham, the architecture of a church building was designed in a certain way and it had a certain
Gothic architecture originated in northern France from 1140 to 1144 near Paris. The style spread to the cathedrals
When I was a child I used to be frightened of entering such a place for it seemed so imposing and somewhat dangerous, especially when music was being played. One day, in order to keep a promise I had made, I saw myself forced to enter. It took me quite a while to get the courage to pass through the old oak door, but the moment I stepped in, I realized just how enchanting and breathtaking this building could be. Its fantastic architecture and exquisite frescoes reflect perfectly the unity between this earth and the unseen kingdom of angels in such a manner that one cannot say where one ends and the other begins. The way in which the church was built is also the vivid testimony of a medieval period. Although it is a place that can sometimes be cold and ask for respect it is where prayers are answered and magic is done. An overwhelming feeling of inner harmony takes over you once you enter and God seems much closer. Darkness and light are welded perfectly together creating Redemption’s house. The tower allows you to see the entire town from the smallest river to the biggest building site, offering you its mightiness.