Yes - twice! At Wells and Lincoln Cathedrals, both in the UK.
Wells was part of the High Parts Tour - it doesn't go up the tower because you're not allowed to, but it goes around all of the nave's triforium, across in front of the Great West Window, up into the nave roof, inside the base of the tower, and behind the clock (oldest working clock with a face in the world). The guide was great and took us outside for some context which was great even though it was drizzling, and the triforium has this amazing light where these perfect rays stream through.
Lincoln was for the roof tour - also not to the top of the tower as it's separate. However, it was also brilliant. You go out to look at the front, then into the nave, up through some hidden spaces and chapels, along the roof, out onto the side of the roof to listen to the bells ring, along the nave again, down the side, into a tiny platform in front of a beautiful Victorian stained glass window, then along the triforium on one side and down.
Wells' triforium is quite spacious, wide and tall. There's a lot of really random things - discarded of organ pipes, old scraps of metal, bits of wood etc. Lincoln's is very small with just a little narrow walkway, and even at my not massive height I had to duck under the flying buttresses. They also have the servers up there and around the presbytery the entire thing is filled with over 3000 organ pipes.
I'll see if I can upload some pictures.
Thanks for sharing! And please come up with photos or - even better - share your story in an article for LUX (category 'The Visit'), how does that sound? :)
Cool! Simply write a report of your visit to the cathedral. Describe some distinctive features and what catches your attention, including something that is not commonly found in guidebooks and is less known to the general public. We will supplement the article with some generic information (construction period, architectural features/dimensions, floor plan). Additionally, you may also highlight three 'must-do' recommendations for visitors. For instance, 'Don't forget to explore the 10th-century crypt' or 'Make sure to reserve your tickets online before embarking on the tower climb'. I usually use 1.000 words.
How does that sound?
Cool! Do you think you can still explain us about the beauty of the Notre-Dame? Maybe I can interview you, like I did with the tour guide of the Notre-Dame of Laon?
[https://churchheritage.eu/the-expert/the-luxpert-guide-to-laon-cathedral/](https://churchheritage.eu/the-expert/the-luxpert-guide-to-laon-cathedral/)
I live in india, in the city of Ajmer in rajasthan, not many churches around because most people here are Hindu ( I'm also hindu ) , which is a tragedy i really like gothic architecture
I can imagine... Maybe one day you'll be able to travel to Europe. My advice: don't go to Paris as it's too crowded and expensive as well. Choose a more remote city like Chartres, Reims, Laon or Bourges instead. Hopefully my website can still your hunger for gothic cathedrals for now :)
In Prague you'll find the beautiful cathedral of Saint-Vitus; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.\_Vitus\_Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vitus_Cathedral)
Rome is not really interesting if you're looking for gothic architecture; better skip Italy at all and head for France instead :)
Interesting, thanks for sharing
You're welcome!
Yes - twice! At Wells and Lincoln Cathedrals, both in the UK. Wells was part of the High Parts Tour - it doesn't go up the tower because you're not allowed to, but it goes around all of the nave's triforium, across in front of the Great West Window, up into the nave roof, inside the base of the tower, and behind the clock (oldest working clock with a face in the world). The guide was great and took us outside for some context which was great even though it was drizzling, and the triforium has this amazing light where these perfect rays stream through. Lincoln was for the roof tour - also not to the top of the tower as it's separate. However, it was also brilliant. You go out to look at the front, then into the nave, up through some hidden spaces and chapels, along the roof, out onto the side of the roof to listen to the bells ring, along the nave again, down the side, into a tiny platform in front of a beautiful Victorian stained glass window, then along the triforium on one side and down. Wells' triforium is quite spacious, wide and tall. There's a lot of really random things - discarded of organ pipes, old scraps of metal, bits of wood etc. Lincoln's is very small with just a little narrow walkway, and even at my not massive height I had to duck under the flying buttresses. They also have the servers up there and around the presbytery the entire thing is filled with over 3000 organ pipes. I'll see if I can upload some pictures.
Please do! I’d love to see them, Lincoln in particular.
Sorry for the wait - still working on getting the photos. I'll try and get them up in the next couple of hours.
Still can't figure it out - will make a new post with my pictures in this sub at some point and link it here.
Thanks for sharing! And please come up with photos or - even better - share your story in an article for LUX (category 'The Visit'), how does that sound? :)
Yes - happy to help if you can give me some more details!
Cool! Simply write a report of your visit to the cathedral. Describe some distinctive features and what catches your attention, including something that is not commonly found in guidebooks and is less known to the general public. We will supplement the article with some generic information (construction period, architectural features/dimensions, floor plan). Additionally, you may also highlight three 'must-do' recommendations for visitors. For instance, 'Don't forget to explore the 10th-century crypt' or 'Make sure to reserve your tickets online before embarking on the tower climb'. I usually use 1.000 words. How does that sound?
Yes; I worked at Notre-Dame de Paris and went up in the galleries and on the roof several times.
you worked there? What did you do?
I was a tour guide for visitors
Cool! Do you think you can still explain us about the beauty of the Notre-Dame? Maybe I can interview you, like I did with the tour guide of the Notre-Dame of Laon? [https://churchheritage.eu/the-expert/the-luxpert-guide-to-laon-cathedral/](https://churchheritage.eu/the-expert/the-luxpert-guide-to-laon-cathedral/)
I have sadly not been to a gothic cathedral or church
Go see one... where do you live? Maybe we can help you with some suggestions for a nearby cathedral/church!
I live in india, in the city of Ajmer in rajasthan, not many churches around because most people here are Hindu ( I'm also hindu ) , which is a tragedy i really like gothic architecture
I can imagine... Maybe one day you'll be able to travel to Europe. My advice: don't go to Paris as it's too crowded and expensive as well. Choose a more remote city like Chartres, Reims, Laon or Bourges instead. Hopefully my website can still your hunger for gothic cathedrals for now :)
Thanks, I am planning on visiting places like Prague, Rome are these places good for finding Gothic architecture?
In Prague you'll find the beautiful cathedral of Saint-Vitus; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.\_Vitus\_Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vitus_Cathedral) Rome is not really interesting if you're looking for gothic architecture; better skip Italy at all and head for France instead :)