Architecture-Churches-Houses

An internal look at this very beautiful church of La Mare de Déu del Consol' (Our Lady of Solace). Perched high above this historic white old town the bright and fancy architecture is a joy to behold.

A colourful shot of this very busy little harbour here in Scarborough on Yorkshires East coast. The colourful boats fight for attention against the colourful backdrop of buildings. Always a delight to be there, especially in conditions like this.

Not too far away from the bustling resort of Ayai Napa stands the little church of Ayii Anargyri, Cape Greco. A nice spot for a wedding I believe.

Fence, stairs and grid shadows as seen on one of our local mills. A nostalgic view for all those that have laboured in such places. HFF to all my viewers. PiP for alternative colour version.

Covered in flamboyant Gothic stonework, the Rouen Cathedral is an ancient Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Rouen in Normandy. The cathedral has the seventh-tallest recorded height among all church buildings in the world at 151m. WiKi At the cathedral site in Rouen, there was a church built by Bishop Victricius during the late 4th century. The building was destroyed during the Viking invasion in the 9th century, but it was rebuilt and enlarged by Richard I, the grandson of Viking leader Rollo. The consecration of the church in 1063 was done in the presence of William I See PiP for perspective corrected version.

Just one of the splendours of the Jumièges Abbey ruins. This was a Benedictine monastery, founded in 645 and rebuilt by the Duke of Normady in 942. Here we are looking down the nave to the choir of the abbey church. see PiP + Deserves full screen viewing! more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumi%C3%A8ges_Abbey

These reflections are actually of the Läppstiftet Konferens building in Gothenburg, Sweden. Enjoy!

The lifting bridge at Salford Keys, Manchester. A new bridge going over one of the many waterways at these keys, from 'The Lowery Centre' to Imperial Point. A lot of glass around here, hence the interesting reflections too.

This gorge (El Tajo), separates the city’s circa-15th-century new town from its old town, dating to Moorish rule. Puente Nuevo, a fabulous stone bridge spanning the gorge, offers sweeping views to the valley below and the distant mountains.

A trip to the heel of Italy is not complete without a visit to this most unusual historic village. Here we see many of the Trulli houses. Most Trilli houses of this village are just for show now but some are still inhabited. A great place to wander. "A trullo (plural, trulli) is a traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof. Their style of construction is specific to the Itria Valley, in the Murge area of the Italian region of Apulia. Trulli generally were constructed as temporary field shelters and storehouses or, as permanent dwellings by small proprietors or agricultural labourers. In the town of Alberobello, in the province of Bari, whole districts contain dense concentrations of trulli. The golden age of trulli was the nineteenth century, especially its final decades, which were marked by the development of wine growing." Wiki

Walking around in this magnificent old city, I spot this very interesting gardens and monument. Of course it was the lighting that struck me most. (typical!). However the story below is well worth reading: Sir Alexander Ball was a British naval officer who was sent to Malta in 1798 to help the Maltese rebels in the blockade against the French. Ball became the first Civil Commissioner of Malta, a post he held from 1799 to 1801 and again from 1802 until his death on 25 October 1809. Ball was widely loved and respected by the Maltese people.

Built in the 15/16th century, King Henry IV of France declared that this church was the most beautiful in the Kingdom. Walking both outside and in, I must admit that he was probably right. See PiPs

Taken in the beutiful city of Krakow in Poland in the wonderful old city square. This was in fact an upper entrance to the old 'ClothHall', moments later it was to be fully occupied by a party of schoolchildren. Best viewed full screen. I wish you all, a great weekend,Herb See PiP for my other curved steps

Seen in Krakow main square. These wonderful horse-drawn carriages are nearly all operated by young ladies dressed in a particular style of that wonderful era of long ago. The many horses are just as beautiful with their coloured plumes and livery. The building in the background is the old 'Cloth House', now a fashionable market bedecked by cafe's and restaurants. Enjoy.

Here in the old main square of Krakow, one of largest medieval town squares in Europe, are a multitude of things to photograph. As a tourist though, almost every architectural gem is marred by hoards of fellow tourist and so here am I, at around 06.45, to avoid all that. Enjoy with me a tribute in the art form of yesteryear. See PiPs

Part of the main square in Krakow with St. Mary's Basilica with its twin towers. This taken at around 21.30, note how many tourist are still around in this momentary quite moment for me. In the left tower, high in the top windows a trumpeter plays a 'bugle call' on the hour every hour of the day and night. (I believe three people do that in shifts) This is done in succession from each compass point window so four trumpet calls per hour in reality and always a ready audience as the sound echos from the nearby other buildings. (Maybe a thing to note if you consider staying in one of the many hotels around this square.) Best viewed full size. See PiP for Cloth Hall view,

Old and new at this station. Normally considered as one of Manchester's two main railway stations it is now shared with many of Manchester's trams. Originally opened c1844 and had the reputation for being the worst category B interchange station in the United Kingdom in 2009. Here we see the new roof and tram interchange added in 2015. Behind is the old main building edifice. I remember catching the steam trains to and from my home town of Oldham under imposing but yellow smoked grimy glass held up by Victorian wrought iron frames here. Always quite imposing but now a very much more modern feel to things. This is actually a Bombardier M5000 built in Bautzen, Germany from 2014. It is on its way to Manchester Airport. See PiPs for other internal views

On this hot July day we are here in the heart of the city centre, just behind the main shopping area. Sit with me and enjoy a drink and a nibble at one of these very old famous hostelries. Both the 'Old Wellington' and 'Sinclairs Oyster Bar' were moved brick by brick to here from another location 300metres away in 1998/9. The Old Wellington was originally built in 1552 and the Oyster bar has a similar interesting history. More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shambles_Square,_Manchester