Salisbury
16 05 11 01:39
Sunday’s dilemma was what to do with the last available day of our rail passes. We were pretty sure we didn’t want to tackle the weekend crowds of central London again, and the cathedrals we wanted to see either had restricted hours or were closed to tourists on Sunday. After considering several options, we decided to head out to the often overlooked market town of Salisbury and its stunning cathedral.
The last time I was in Salisbury, it turned out to be a summer market day, and the crowds were awful. This Sunday afternoon was much different. With many shops closed on Sunday and virtually no market activity, the town was a bit quieter, though still with a lot of visitors. Salisbury is home to one of England’s most beautiful cathedrals with the country’s tallest spire. Dating from the 1200s, the cathedral is an impressive sight. It also houses one of four original copies of the Magna Carta (no photos permitted).
I marvel at the effort and intricate detail evident in the cathedral. What must it have cost in time and effort to construct such a magnificent place 800 years ago? And why did they bother? The only answer that makes sense is that it was built to the glory of God. Visiting such places convicts me of the readiness with which we modern Americans can settle for mediocrity. Salisbury was a good choice for this Sunday afternoon.
The last time I was in Salisbury, it turned out to be a summer market day, and the crowds were awful. This Sunday afternoon was much different. With many shops closed on Sunday and virtually no market activity, the town was a bit quieter, though still with a lot of visitors. Salisbury is home to one of England’s most beautiful cathedrals with the country’s tallest spire. Dating from the 1200s, the cathedral is an impressive sight. It also houses one of four original copies of the Magna Carta (no photos permitted).
I marvel at the effort and intricate detail evident in the cathedral. What must it have cost in time and effort to construct such a magnificent place 800 years ago? And why did they bother? The only answer that makes sense is that it was built to the glory of God. Visiting such places convicts me of the readiness with which we modern Americans can settle for mediocrity. Salisbury was a good choice for this Sunday afternoon.
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