I am an inveterate Cathedral visitor. I always find these old buildings with their centuries of history and worship to be places of worship and inspiration. They are often inspirational for the mathematician too. For example, this fine cathedral of Amiens has a floor plan with proportions matching those of the ideal human body, incorporating the golden ratio. As well, the layout of the floor plan is based on a treble octagram – a design chosen for aesthetic and symbolic reasons. There is more too. Investigate your local cathedral with a mathematician’s eye!
