Hoyt's Page -> Fountains
Fountains
On Jan 30, 2005, I took a day trip to Fountains Abbey, about 30 minutes from Harrogate.  The abbey was originally founded
by Benedictine monks who later converted to Cistercians. The first buildings were built in 1132.
Now, it has been combined with the Studley Royal estate to become a historic site.

It was very cool in the winter, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks in the summer when the green stuff is out.

There are some good websites if you are interested in the history of the place:

These pics are small because I still hadn't gotten used to my new camera yet. It was set on the smallest picture size.
I'll be back for better pictures later in the year...

Countryside around the abbey
You can see the tower poking
up from the valley.
The trees are leafless, but
the grass is always green.
This valley once held several
buildings. Most were taken
down for their stone when
it closed.

This is the main chapel
where the higher ranked monks
did their thing.
The tower was built in
the 1500s
This was at the height
of the abbey's power.
There were tons of birds
in the tower,
crows and pigeons.

Lots of shadows from
the winter sun.
This river was used for
different industries in
the valley.
I think this was the guest
house for nobility.
The abbey had to put
the nobles up in decent
lodging when they
wanted a retreat.

Hopefully the nobles would
then leave the abbey some
cash in their will.
This valley would
have been packed with
buildings during the peak.
There used to be a building
on top of this vault over the
river.
That way you've got a
built-in sewer ;)

Fun with shadows.
I'm not sure how much
has been restored vs
original.
Odd bit of wall sticking up.


They used sandstone from the
cliff on one side of the
valley, so they didn't have
to move the stone very far.
Front of the guest house.
The circular window was bricked
up so they could run a chimney
up there.
Dormitory for the lay-brothers,
who did the work in the fields.
Formerly a large glass window,
but not fancy colors.

Statue cubby.


Nice arch.
Entrance to the main church.

The weather has taken a toll
on the sandstone.

The interior would have
been painted white.
The glass probably would
have been green, since
it was difficult to make clear
glass.


Cool vault. This is where
they lay brothers ate.


Probably a second floor up
there?
Looking back toward
the front entrance.

Looking up at the tower.


Birds up on the ledge.
Tomb of one of the
archbishops.

#$@% shadows!
This tile mosaic was at the
altar.
Probably the most decoration
in the whole place.
Series of small chapels
back here, where the souls
of benefactors would be
prayed for.

Looking back toward the front.
A council chamber.
The cloister.


This is the west range.
It's supposed to be one
of the best examples of
this vaulted architecture.
The tour guide said the
lay brothers ate here,
but one of the other sites
said it was used for storage.
It was pretty cool in
either case.













Guest quarters again.




Fountains Hall
Built from abbey stone after
it was closed
Cool windows

Funky tree
Lots of the trees have
some kind of evergreen
bush on them all year.
That's the abbey back there.


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