Chronicle photographer Simon Greener took these stunning picture of the Chapel of the Nine Altars and the Rose Window at Durham Cathedral, lit by sunlight on Thursday afternoon.
The Rose is ninety feet in circumference with a central core depicting Christ surrounded by the twelve apostles.
Originally glazed in the 15th century by Richard Pickering, the present glass dates from the late nineteenth century, and depicts Christ surrounded by the apostles, in turn surrounded by the 24 elders from Revelation.
The 15th century glass was removed in the late eighteenth century by James Wyatt, an architect nicknamed the destroyer for his heavy-handed interventions in the Cathedral.
In the surrounding windows, some of Durham’s key bishops are depicted, including the first Prince Bishops, St Calais and Flambard, and Van Mildert, the last.
Constructed around 1280, the Chapel of the Nine Altars was built to increase the amount of space inside the cathedral and was inspired by a similar extension to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, completed in 1247.
The Chapel of the Nine Altars differs markedly from the rest of Durham Cathedral in that it consists of large expanses of glass, soaring pointed vaults, and similarly-shaped arches. The result is that much more light enters this section of the building.
Source: Chronicle Live
