The Church of Saint Bartholemew the Great within the City of London is the oldest Parish Church in London and was built when Henry 1st, son of William the Conqueror, was King of England. It survived the Great Fire of London and the 2 world wars. It is now a place of calmness, and a visit is a deeply moving experience.
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Just by chance our holiday cottage backed onto the churchyard at the back of this church by Smithfield's Market and we spent a most absorbing afternoon enjoying the wonderful Romanesque Architecture and the atmosphere of this very special place.
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I hope you enjoy looking through these images and that it will encourage you to visit the church if ever you get an opportunity. Its near Farringdon Station.
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The images above show the sheer majesty of the church but the Lady Chapel pictured below has a charm all of its own.
There are many exhibits in the surrounding arches which are appropriately lit and fascinating to explore. In fact, James tells me that the rounded arches of the interior are Romanesque whilst the later pointed arches are Gothic. Thanks, James.
We enjoyed exploring the pieces of modern art, particularly the dramatic creation in 2006 by Damien Hirst entitled ‘Exquisite Pain’.
It depicts St Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who met his end by being skinned alive. He is depicted with muscles exposed, his skin draped over his arm and holding the tool used for the job.
The Risen Christ by Josefina de Vasconcellos
I hope you have enjoyed this photographic walkthrough .
Thanks for looking.
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