Religion

The Bell Tower of Salamanca Cathedral

Salamanca, Spain - 13 April 2017

Salamanca is an ancient city in northwestern Spain; it is also the capital of the province of Salamanca in Castile and Leon. Its Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Founded in pre-Roman times over 2000 years ago, it now houses one of Spain's most important universities, as well as many distinguished churches, places of pilgrimage, convents and historic buildings.

Work started on Salamanca's Cathedral in the 12th century, but it was not completed - in Romanesque and Gothic style until the 14th century. It is dedicated to Saint Mary of the See. A warning to tourists- it is not open in Easter Week!

© Jon Bower at Apexphotos

St Pauls Cathedral RAF_58_40_VP1_5069

ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, London. The Cathedral still survives, but the widespread devastation caused by bombing during the Second World War is apparent in nearby streets. Some whole blocks have been cleared and levelled, while in other areas the plan of the bombed-out buildings can be seen. Vertical aerial photograph taken by RAF aerial reconnaissance in June 1948. This makes a very tricky jigsaw!

© Historic England RAF photography

Damage to Canterbury Cathedral Library, WW2 - Baedeker Blitz

"Canterbury under fire" - Damage sustained to the Cathedal LIbrary examined by Dr. Hewlett Johnson, Dean of Canterbury, by bombing on the city by German planes of the luftwaffe during WW2. The Baedeker Blitz (or Baedeker raids) were targeted raids, chosen for hitting sites of cultural or historical significance, rather than for any military value. The raid on Canterbury (which coincided with the RAF's 1, 000 bomber raid on Cologne), involved 77 bombers, dropping 40 tons of bombs, resulting in 43 deaths. This raid hit Canterbury on 31st May, 1942. Date: 1942

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection