Shrewsbury

Shrewbury has two famous "sons". First, Cadfael, a fictional monk who solves crimes in a real background in the 12th century. Second, Darwin, a real scientist of the 19th century who has been attributed with many things.

Both have had a bad ending: Cadfael's monastery has been demolished, parts of the church are missing, and Cadfael's "workshop" is now a parking lot.

And Darwin has become a bland shopping center...

I have read all the approximately 20.5 Cadfael books by Ellis Peters in the 90s, and that was the reason I came here. Then I walked in Cadfael's footsteps on a self-guided tour.

His "home church" still exudes majesty and spirituality despite the reduction. I was at morning prayer with 2(!) monks: we were three...

The paths and alleys of the plot have of course changed, but there is still a lot to see from the "Middle Ages", and I was able to immerse myself in the stories.

And apart from Cadfael & Darwin, there was a lot of interesting things to see. Worth it!