Lincoln, Lincolnshire County, England
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
—Bible, Isaiah 40:29
When Remigius de Fécamp, the first bishop of Lincoln, ordered a cathedral to be built atop a hill facing Lincoln Castle in A.D. 1072, construction began on the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln. In 1092, just two days before the cathedral was to be consecrated, Bishop Remigius died. A fire destroyed the roof in 1141; forty years later, an earthquake all but destroyed the building. The spectacular Gothic cathedral that replaced it—and stands majestically today—is the result of the vision and fortitude of Saint Hugh, the medieval bishop of Lincoln who oversaw its construction but died before its completion.
If you find the collapse of old traditions to be disconcerting or seek inspiration in refashioning or rebuilding your life, visit Lincoln Cathedral to witness how vision and persistence can create something grand and enduring out of ruin.
While touring the enormous cathedral, pause before one of the arched stained glass windows in the towering nave to reflect on how faith can sustain you through difficult times and empower you to build anew.
Lincoln Cathedral—the seat of the Anglican bishop of Lincoln, Church of England—served as a set in the film version of Dan Brown’s bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code, which some consider a blasphemous use of this holy site.