symbolically secular replacing the thoroughly theistic

I couldn't help but be blown away by the symbolism; this modern society which worships the written word of man. We are so imprudent so as to put this bookstore within the Cathedral, perhaps the ultimate house of God. 


Perhaps a little sad, these last vestiges of antiquity being put to such secular use. I disagree though, better this than that they sit, gathering dust and losing friends and memories as time slips by. I especially can respect it when its done so elegantly; the modern architecture of the bookstore 'sits' inside the Cathedral, clearly respecting the boundary between its secular function and the theistic origins of its shell.

The saddest thing; this bookstore is going under from the pressure of shipping industry. When buying your newest novel is but a click away, why go to the lengths of walking to your bookstore and having to interact with a real person? Unless, of course, the bookstore was in as beautiful a locale as this.

There is talk of technology firms housing data centers and servers in unused portions of old buildings (like this one). It's sad, but I'd rather see a beautiful icon such as this Cathedral in Maastricht (its in the Netherlands) go to good use than be torn down by the developers and replaced by shitty condominiums.

I guess in this case, we can't have our cake and eat it too.