The islands of Great Britain and Ireland are crammed with historic monuments from different time periods, reaching from pre-antiquity (Stonehenge) to the modern era (Shard in London). Many interesting sights though were built in medieval and early modern times (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, picture 1 and Culzean Castle, Scotland, pictures 3, 5 and 7) or in the time of industrialisation (Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, England, picture 2, Menai Bridge, Wales, picture 4 and Britannia Bridge, Wales, picture 6). Some impressions.
Memories from a Journey to the Island. Shot in Chester, Bath, Salisbury and Bristol in July of 2019.
The cathedrals of Salisbury and Winchester are masterpieces of Gothic architecture in England. Usually I don’t mix styles within one series of photographies, though for this one I decided otherwise because some of these shots need the contrast and clarity of black and white while others demand for colour and light. As these buildings themselves offer stark contrasts to the modern world they are situated in today so do this pictures with one another highlighting different perspectives of this wonderful architecture.
England is famous for it’s garden culture. The English garden was created in the 18th century in contrast to the French garden, which is very structured with symmetrical ways and central points. Hence it is a metaphor for the French absolutism of it’s time with the Sun king being in the center of power, all possible ways departing from him. The English system was more nuanced and unclear, hence there are more secret passage ways in the Gardens, an aura of mystery and uncertainty sometimes, the structures being not so clear and open to exploration. But of course the English garden like it’s French cousin is everything but natural, it is thoroughly human-made. One example being the Garden of Arundel at the grounds of the castle with the same name in Southern England. The temperated weather in this part of the UK allows for beautiful gardens with surprising diversity, consisting of local flowers but also more exotic ones.
The Abbey of bath is a prime example of the Pendicular Style of Gothic architecture in England. Another would be the Cathedral of Gloucester. Medieval churches tend to be very dark and somewhat sinister. The Abbey of Bath though is different. The light coming through the beautiful stained glass windows is flowing through the building, giving interesting accents and tones.
Before it was discovered by English royalty Brighton used to be a little fishermen’s town. It all changed in the 19th century when the railway was built and the people of Britain were getting accustomed to the concept of vacation. That’s when Brighton pier was built with a length of over 500 Meter and people began to take sunbaths at the beachfront. New hotels were built for the masses and also the royal family needed a new home. So the famous John Nash built the Crystal Palace, heavily inspired by Indian architecture. Today the town is visited by Britons but even more by foreign language students, who spent part of their vacations in the former fishermen’s town. The palace is a museum now, presumably Brighton got to crowded for the Royals.