Fountains Abbey

The Great Perpendicular Tower at Fountains Abbey

Took Sons 2 & 3 to Fountains Abbey today. I thought it would be interesting, charming even, but was completely bowled over by it.

It never ceases to amaze me, the concentration of resources in the Middle Ages. When 95% of the population was living in hovels, they would dedicate so much time and wealth to these fantastic and overwhelming buildings with their unerring sense of sereneness and quirkiness. And they are monstrously big - the dimensions are humbling; they reach beyond the human.

Tagged: Monasticism, Fountains Abbey