Friday 2 October 2009

Friday My Town Shoot-out - A photo study of a building

This week’s subject for the My Town Shoot-out is ”A photo study of a building” and was chosen by The Town blogger team. a great choice. I have chosen to show you Valle Crucis Abbey in North Wales.


















If you would like to see more Friday My Town shoot-out please visit the home page.

I don't normally add much text to my My Town Shoot-outs but for those who are interested the following is a very brief history of Valle Crucis Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Glyn y Groes or Abaty Glyn Egwestl). It is in the Dee (Dyfrdwy) valley about 1½ miles upstream and north of Llangollen, Denbighshire, in north-east Wales.

The crucis ("of the cross") in its name refers to the Pillar of Eliseg which stands nearby, which would already have stood for nearly four centuries when the abbey was established in 1201. The new foundation was a Cistercian house. The abbey suffered a serious fire soon after its founder's death in 1236; traces of burning are visible on the lower stonework of the church and the south range. Substantial rebuilding (distinguished by putlog holes for the ends of the wooden scaffolding) had already taken place when the abbey found itself on the losing side during Edward I's Welsh campaigns in 1276–1277 and 1282–1283, although subsequent compensation enabled it to flourish for much of the following century. Valle Crucis was dissolved in 1537 by Henry VIII as one of the lesser houses. After the Dissolution the buildings rapidly fell into disrepair; in the late 16th century the eastern range was converted into a house with a new roof-line, although this roof had gone by the early 18th century. Many of the ruins were roofed again later in the century and used as a farm. Excavations and clearance of the ruins were carried out in the mid to late 19th century.



 

26 comments:

  1. As always, a beautiful photo essay. I particularly like photo #9 of the darkened gothic arch and the tree beyond.
    Canadian Chickadee

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  2. Fascinating history. Thank you for that.

    Well, I love them all. Number six is my favorite but I love the way you captured the light in the last photo. All spectacular photos.

    Beautiful compositions and clarity.

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  3. Great post CJ. Like a bit of info and the interior shot is good always the very devil are interiors.

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  4. I am smitten. I have this "thing" for Abbeys. It stems from having visited a few on my trip to England in 1975. (Yes, I know...MANY moons ago...) but it made deep impressions upon me. I distinctly remember visiting an Abbey ruins (which one, I cannot recall) and as I stood in the awe of the moment, I could hear something akin to a song/chant being carried on the wind. Moved me profoundly.
    I would LOVE to see this Abbey. You have done a magnificent job on the photos!!! Thank you for taking us there!
    ;^)

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  5. Thank you for your exquisite photos, and for the history you provided at the end. I enjoyed every one of your pictures.

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  6. It was... and still is a beautiful building. If stones could talk what a tale they could tell.
    As usual wonderful photographs.

    Love Granny

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  7. Beautiful work, nothing is made that way anymore. I just want to sit, touch the walls and marvel at it awhile :)

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  8. What a shame, that such an interesting building has suffered at the hands of time.

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  9. Wow, Scriptor Senex, you have A LOT of blogs.How do you keep them all updated?

    Love these photos - You can't get architectural ruins from the late middle ages over here in America. Very cool!

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  10. Oh, the mediaeval adventures that start to form looking at these incredible pictures! Sitting beside it, I'll bet you could start to hear voices from the past drift by!
    It's hard to imagine a building that old! And the cross that is FOUR CENTURIES older than that!
    Fantastic shoot out!

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  11. Your photo essay of the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey was very informative and enjoyable. You captured the texture of this old facade perfectly, and the contrast with the small birds was a pleasant surprise.

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  12. So so magical. I would love to visit. My parents are both Welsh but I've not been to the northern hemisphere (yet).

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  13. what a magnificent building! the shots are fantastic, awesome, impressive!!! have a wonderful weekend!!

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  14. What splendid photos. I always think splendid is such a British word, it befits your shoot-out. Just think, your building was centuries old before your man Cook went exploring.

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  15. I really like this building. It's amazing it still stands after all this time. It represents strength. Wonderful photos.

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  16. Fabulous architecture from the past! I enjoyed these photos very much. The history was the right touch. It made the shots come to life even more.

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  17. I especially like the final photo of the doorway, a nice perspective!

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  18. Wow, Scriptor.

    I am in love with this building...your photos are superb, each one. I don't think I can choose a favorite.

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  19. gorgeous building! I love exploring such places. great shoot!

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  20. I like your photos, the use of light and perspective left me feeling that I was there. thanks for the great story.

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  21. Very cool! I love structures like this and when I was in Ireland ran across one now and then...did a little frolicking about the properties to soak in the essence of long ago that might still be lurking...good spirits of course!

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  22. What beautiful grounds....It looks like a lovely place for a walk. I can almost hear the birds and smell the fresh air. Very nice shoot-out.

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