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Description

This is the magnificent, Romanesque cathedral in Durham (UK), seen from St Aidan college, which forms part of the group of so called ‘hill’ colleges of the university of Durham. This view has a very personal meaning for me because when I was a student in St Aidan, many years ago, I could see it everyday when I woke up and went to the common room to eat my breakfast. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I used to just sit down on the grass and admire the magnificent silhouette of the Romanesque cathedral, no matter the weather. The way it crowned the surrounding landscape as well as the sound of its bells echoing through the hills – all this got deeply entrenched in mind. Now that I think about it, I think this view played a crucial role in igniting my interest in medieval heritage – particularly monuments of art. I am extremely grateful for this view and somehow, sometimes I feel as if part of me is still sitting on that grass, looking at the cathedral.

Extended version of the personal story: I though I might add that studying in Durham was a very important time in my life. It was the first time I moved outside of my family home in Warsaw (and already the move was to a different country!). My parents grew up under communist regime and both spent some time in prison for opposing censorship and promoting free speech and democracy. They were not rich but saved money only to sent their son ‘West’ so that he might get better education. They are both quite religious and before I went, they gave me money, a cross and their blessing. My English at the time was not very good and I had a very thick accent. A lot of things in Durham were different than in Poland, I was in a new environment and there were times when I felt very out of place. The main two things that always kept my spirits up at that time was my wonderful girlfriend (now wife) who came to Durham with me and this view.

Sorry for making this post so personal – I am currently going through a very difficult time in my life and I feel very melancholic and sad. This view brings me some comfort and I thought it would be nice to share this. Thank you for viewing!

Description

This is the magnificent, Romanesque cathedral in Durham (UK), seen from St Aidan college, which forms part of the group of so called ‘hill’ colleges of the university of Durham. This view has a very personal meaning for me because when I was a student in St Aidan, many years ago, I could see it everyday when I woke up and went to the common room to eat my breakfast. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I used to just sit down on the grass and admire the magnificent silhouette of the Romanesque cathedral, no matter the weather. The way it crowned the surrounding landscape as well as the sound of its bells echoing through the hills – all this got deeply entrenched in mind. Now that I think about it, I think this view played a crucial role in igniting my interest in medieval heritage – particularly monuments of art. I am extremely grateful for this view and somehow, sometimes I feel as if part of me is still sitting on that grass, looking at the cathedral.

Extended version of the personal story: I though I might add that studying in Durham was a very important time in my life. It was the first time I moved outside of my family home in Warsaw (and already the move was to a different country!). My parents grew up under communist regime and both spent some time in prison for opposing censorship and promoting free speech and democracy. They were not rich but saved money only to sent their son ‘West’ so that he might get better education. They are both quite religious and before I went, they gave me money, a cross and their blessing. My English at the time was not very good and I had a very thick accent. A lot of things in Durham were different than in Poland, I was in a new environment and there were times when I felt very out of place. The main two things that always kept my spirits up at that time was my wonderful girlfriend (now wife) who came to Durham with me and this view.

Sorry for making this post so personal – I am currently going through a very difficult time in my life and I feel very melancholic and sad. This view brings me some comfort and I thought it would be nice to share this. Thank you for viewing!