Part 3: Cathedrals (continued)

The most visited church in Britain is technically not a cathedral. The Westminster Abbey is administered directly by the Crown. Almost all English kings since William the Conqueror have been crowned in it, and many were also buried inside. They've been later joined by a lot of nobles, military commanders, explorers, poets, scientists and other people behind the rise and the glory of the Empire. Now it's probably the most remarkable burial place in the World. No matter what your political views are, a visit to the Abbey feels a bit like a pilgrimage.

The Westminster Abbey.

The Westminster Abbey.

On the outside, the Abbey looks like a beautiful Gothic cathedral. On the inside, it's a maze of small chapels, crypts, and passages, often packed with tourists. If you can, visit it in winter to avoid the crowds.

The Westminster Abbey.

The Gloucester Cathedral, c. 1143-1484, Gloucester, England.

Organ, Gloucester Cathedral.

The cathedrals in Gloucester and Winchester are the best examples of the so-called English perpendicular style. It's a somewhat reserved, perfectly streamlined version of Gothic.

Window, Winchester Cathedral.

The Winchester Cathedral, c. 1070-1093, Winchester, England.

Salisbury Cathedral, c. 1220-1258, Salisbury, England.

Salisbury Cathedral has the highest spire in Britain - it's 128 m tall. Salisbury Cathedral. It houses the famous Magna Carta - the first foundation of constitutional monarchy.

Stained glass window, Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury Cathedral.

The Mappa Mundi, c. 1295, Hereford Cathedral.

Hereford Cathedral, c. 1070-1898, Hereford, England.

Hereford Cathedral contains a more spectacular treasure: the Mappa Mundi, one of the best-preserved Medieval world maps. The map shows Jerusalem in the center, reasonably good detail in Europe, and some funny speculations about the world beyond.

Inside Hereford Cathedral.

City Chambers (formerly part of the Abbey) c. 1620, Dunfermline, Scotland.

Glasgow Cathedral, c. 1210-1850, Glasgow, Scotland.

Cathedrals of Scotland are beautiful, dark, moody, and often look more like castles. They are a bit less known than English ones: the impressive cathedral in Dunfermline isn't even mentioned in many guidebooks.

Inside Glasgow Cathedral.

St. Giles Cathedral, c. 1120-1490, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dunfermline Cathedral (a.k.a. Abbey Church), c. 1128-1150, Dunfermline, Scotland.

St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh has a very complex structure. The interior used to be very ornate, too, but was stripped bare by Calvinists in 1560.

St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

King's College Chapel, c. 1446-1516, Cambridge, England.

Part 4: Castles

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