You know that scene from “Mary Poppins” where all of the chimney sweeps are dancing on the rooftops? I think about that a lot. One of my favorite things to do while I’m out walking is to look up at all of the interesting and attractive chimneys. I took pictures of some in Cambridge last month, wanting to share this bit of interesting architecture with you.
Let’s start with more modest, ordinary ones:
They get more interesting when they combine forces and numbers of pipes:
This is my favorite photo of the set, and I can’t help but notice that one of the windows has been bricked over!
Here’s a super-fancy set: Ooh la la!
I love the symmetry of this building, and when you look at it from the side…
Chimneys galore! And so very showy…
And, to finish off, some rooftop dancing– Step In Time!
great shots!
We asked about bricked-over windows when we were in Shackelford, Surrey. The answer is that there was a time when they levied a tax on windows! People bricked them up to lower their taxes. There may be other reasons, such as remodel, but the old tax laws account for a lot of bricked up windows on those older buildings in England.
Dad, that’s really interesting! I guess most of those upper windows are probably in attics, and maybe don’t seem worth the effort to re-open.
What cool pictures. I like these thematic looks at essentially ordinary things. My favorites are doors and mailboxes. There is something cool about noticing all of the detail and personal creativity that has gone into a purely functional piece of architecture.
Thanks, Andrew. This is what I love about Europe– so much attention paid to the aesthetic design of objects. I remember on my first trip to Europe (Spain) I was totally amazed by the lovely wrought-iron trash can receptacles!
What a fun collection of photos! The first and last are my favorites:))) ~ Barefoot Mama
I liked the detail art on those belonging to the church. How beautiful. It tells a lot of European culture in context of the old art, does it not? You may recall that I am originally from Berlin, Germany and with all those changes made from the time the wall came down, Berlin is losing that old-time artistic expression and is replaced with modern “artistic expression” containing a lot of clean lines, glass, and chrome.. what a shame really 🙁 Once again, thanks for sharing 😉
Liane 🙂
Hi Liane, I definitely noticed a lot of contrast in German architecture– the old and the new are so radically different from each other. This even plays out in home design and furniture, etc. I noticed that things were very square and sleek, even a little heavy. My friends there teased me that I “like old things.” I do!
I think my earliest memory is of Dick Van Dyke looking up the chimney and singing “On the rooftops of London…. coo, what a sight!” He lent it such an air of mystery that my 5-year old self was instantly intrigued. That led to a lifetime love affair with London. Well, that and Sherlock Holmes.