High Resolution JPEG Picture of This photograph is taken of Beverley Minster located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK. It is one of the largest parish churches in the UK, larger than one third of all English cathedrals and regarded as a Gothic masterpiece by many. The minster owes its origin and much of its subsequent importance to Saint John of Beverley, who founded a monastery locally around 700 AD and whose bones still lie beneath a plaque in the nave. The institution grew after his death and underwent several re-buildings. After a serious fire in 1188, the subsequent reconstruction was overambitious; the newly heightened central tower collapsed c. 1213 bringing down much of the surrounding church. Work on the present structure began around 1220. It took 200 years to complete building work but, despite the time scale involved, the whole building has coherent form and detail and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Early English design. The twin towers of the west front are a superlative example of the Perpendicular style. These formed the inspiration for the design of the present Westminster Abbey. [635866424] stock photo
