Bishop's Palace Chapel, Medieval chapel at The Bishop's Palace, Wells, England
The Bishop's Palace Chapel is a medieval chapel within the palace in Wells, England, distinguished by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and large windows with Early English tracery. The interior displays medieval stained glass from French churches that floods the space with colored light.
Bishop Robert Burnell built the chapel in the late 13th century as part of the palace complex that served as the residence for Bath and Wells bishops. Its construction reflected the power and wealth of the church in the region during that period.
The chapel holds modern icons by Silvia Dimitrova, including representations of the Holy Trinity and St Mark beside the altar made from maple and Ancaster stone. These contemporary artworks bridge the space between its medieval architecture and modern spiritual expression.
The chapel opens throughout the week with adjusted hours between seasons, and visitors should plan accordingly for winter versus summer visits. Weekly prayer services take place on Tuesday mornings, which may affect access during those times.
The wooden pews carry carved names of different parishes, crafted by diocesan apprentices in the early 1900s. These hand-carved marks connect the chapel to the surrounding communities and showcase local craftsmen's work.
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