Standing on the edge of town lies a large monastic complex. Unfortunately the idea of a life filled with solitude and celibacy is becoming increasingly rarer, giving way to our modern consumer lifestyle. As a result monasteries are closing down and generally being converted into flats. I visited an absolutely mint one last year (it even had flushing toilets) which can be seen here: http://www.urbanxphotography.co.uk/116-st-hilarius-monastry
Visited with 4 other DP Members - Senbell, Osfa, Mr Dan, & Priority 7.
We emerge from the bushes in the pitch black night and walk quickly towards the building, scanning with our eyes but not with our heads to try and see if there’s anyone about. Luckily where we have approached the building is exactly where the open access point is. Quickly and silently we have all passed our bags, and ourselves through and into the building.
I’m first, so I walk quickly into the building and away from our access point. Schoolboy error.I pass through the first (open) door and the room floods with light as what seems like every light in the world blinks into life. My retinas stung as the muscles tightly contracted, and we all froze. There was no audible alarm, so we made our way to the chapel to wait and see what would happen.
I sit with my back to a large masonry column, it was cold and solid, and made me feel safe from a situation that just felt extremely vulnerable. The room slowly lightened, revealing her majesty slowly. Every few minutes a new set architectural detail would become apparent. It was a beautiful moment.
The silence was broken by the flock of crows outside waking up and cawing loudly, which put me on edge as crows normally only spook when they see people. Another half an hour passed with no sign of trouble, so I began assembling my tripod as quietly as I could in the cavernous echoic space.
Normally the organist gets put in a quiet dark little corner on one side. Not here, they have the best view in the house!
Looking up to the roof:
Jesus Christ:
Alter:
Looking Back:
The accommodation was arranged around a square courtyard:
Secondary chapel:
Os:
When we were done, we silently left by the same way which we came. We set the lights off again, although it wasn’t a big deal as it was not daylight anyway. We exited into the bright light of the crisp spring morning, the crows had been replaced by birdsong, adding even more utopian feel to the explore
Thanks for looking.
Visited with 4 other DP Members - Senbell, Osfa, Mr Dan, & Priority 7.
We emerge from the bushes in the pitch black night and walk quickly towards the building, scanning with our eyes but not with our heads to try and see if there’s anyone about. Luckily where we have approached the building is exactly where the open access point is. Quickly and silently we have all passed our bags, and ourselves through and into the building.
I’m first, so I walk quickly into the building and away from our access point. Schoolboy error.I pass through the first (open) door and the room floods with light as what seems like every light in the world blinks into life. My retinas stung as the muscles tightly contracted, and we all froze. There was no audible alarm, so we made our way to the chapel to wait and see what would happen.
I sit with my back to a large masonry column, it was cold and solid, and made me feel safe from a situation that just felt extremely vulnerable. The room slowly lightened, revealing her majesty slowly. Every few minutes a new set architectural detail would become apparent. It was a beautiful moment.
The silence was broken by the flock of crows outside waking up and cawing loudly, which put me on edge as crows normally only spook when they see people. Another half an hour passed with no sign of trouble, so I began assembling my tripod as quietly as I could in the cavernous echoic space.
Normally the organist gets put in a quiet dark little corner on one side. Not here, they have the best view in the house!
Looking up to the roof:
Jesus Christ:
Alter:
Looking Back:
The accommodation was arranged around a square courtyard:
Secondary chapel:
Os:
When we were done, we silently left by the same way which we came. We set the lights off again, although it wasn’t a big deal as it was not daylight anyway. We exited into the bright light of the crisp spring morning, the crows had been replaced by birdsong, adding even more utopian feel to the explore
Thanks for looking.