Winchester

Two days ago I visited the town of Winchester, south of England along with Mateusz, Mirek and Dawid, the three clerics from Poland doing their PT in the province.  A decent hour drive from Chertsey.  I did some reading and information gathering the previous day and that really helped.  Towards the end of our visit I dropped in at the tourist information centre and they had loads of stuff.  So next time for sure, it would be a good idea to drop in first at the information centre of any town.

 We basically did a self-guided walk around the town, visited the Cathedral, the city Mill, the Wolvesey castle and a few other places on the way.  As always, what struck me most was the way the historical heritage is preserved and the history documented of the various places and events.  There are remains of the wall built by the Romans!  Wall built in the 3rd century!!  Then the whole castle and the surrounding wall around it, dating back to the medieval times.  What's more, a wing of the castle, actually built by Bishop Henry Blois, still serves as the Bishop's house and office.  The dilapidated part of the castle is open to visitors and the walls so thick!  Almost 3 feet! All made of rock and mortar.  The "thinnest" walls as described on the plaque were that of the kitchen... about 2.5 feet!

The City flour mill is the only operational mill in the county, run solely by hydropower, being built on River Itchen.  It's amazing how nature's forces were put to use in bygone times... I guess it was because people did not have ready made things as available now!

The footwear once used in the mill, something like skiing shoes to prevent one from sinking into the flour

The city was originally built by King Alfred the great and his statues graces the town centre.  Did not find much about him apart from the statue dedicated to him, at least in the places that we visited.  Perhaps there is more of him in the Great Hall (which we did not have time for).  

During our walk along the river Itchen, we saw the way it was divided to create small islands (perhaps for cultivation, then) and it also served as a moat for the castle.  The castle was not of the king but the Bishop!!  Given the times when the Bishop was no less a political figure and wealthy man, he certainly needed 'protection'!  We walked past the house in which Jane Austen died, the King's gate, above which is the small chapel dedicated to the patron saint of Winchester, St Swithun.  

The King's way passage, above which is the church of St Swithun

Just round the corner one enters the campus of the cathedral - that's another post altogether!  The pilgrim's centre built in the medieval times is still intact.  Of course, some additional support is provided but the basic structure, mostly of wood is still intact and is the backbone of the building.  

The memorial of William the conqueror, beside the Church of St Lawrence

The imposing city hall housing various offices and conference halls.