Frescoe'd...

 Fresco : Saint Benedict's Hall : Stift Melk : Melk, AT

Melk features a number of really lovely frescoes, including the one above, which you see as you pass under the first gate and into the forecourt. I loved the tromp l'oeil features in this one. The photo doesn't do it justice, but it was beautiful and quite illusionary.

Ceiling Fresco : Marble Hall / Marmorhalle / Stift Melk : Melk, AT

The Marble Hall is home to a grand and equally beautiful fresco. There are two stories in this ceiling art: Hercules, conquering the Hound of Hell and Athena, on a chariot drawn by lions. It was quite something. 

Fresco : Garden Pavilion : Stift Melk : Melk, AT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/2012

Stephansdom

Saint Stephen's Cathedral / Stephansdom : Vienna, AT

We visited Vienna on a Sunday, so Stephansdom was essentially closed for religious services. We were able to stand in the very back of the nave and shoot a few photos through a gate that was drawn across the main part of the sanctuary. I was kind of disappointed by that, because I really wanted to get a photo of the Fenstergücker. Guess I'll have to come back again.

Inside Stephansdom, but only in the nave, since there was a worship service going on : Vienna, AT

Instagrammed Stephansdom : Vienna, AT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Karlskirche Restoration

Up close -- Detail of the frescoes in the dome of Karlskirche : Vienna, AT

Karlskirche was nearing the end of a multi-year, multi-million euro restoration project, so when we visited, there was still scaffolding inside. But, the cool thing was, they'd installed an elevator and you could ride it up to see the dome friezes up close! The church was commissioned by Charles VI, who pledged to build a church in honor of Charles Borromeo -- his patron saint. Borromeo was renowned for being a healer of those suffering from bubonic plague. To see more photos from inside this church, go here.

The dome from the ground level : Karlskirche : Vienna, AT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Lanzo Torinese

Village church : Lanzo Torinese, IT

During and after World War II, Maya's father was sent to boarding schools in Northern Italy. One of the towns he spent time in was Lanzo Torinese, about 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Turin. On our way back to Ferney, we made a slight diversion to visit this village. Just a couple of photos here. I forgot to take reference photos for the church and can't remember the name, but it was small and charming. To see additional photos of Lanzo, go here.

Church tower : Lanzo Torinese, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

The Church of Our Lady of Consolation

 Inside il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

Wandering the streets of Turin, we came across this church -- il Santuario della Consolata (Our Lady of Consolation). From the outside, it didn't look like much, but once we stepped inside? Boy, howdy! Baroque, anyone? But not just any Baroque. Piedmontese Baroque. It's not a very big church (despite being called a basilica), but it is quite ornate. Apparently, it's one of the oldest churches in Turin.

The high altar : il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

There weren't a lot of lay people in the church at the time we visited, but we did notice a number of nuns in the sanctuary. Most of them were praying or in deep contemplation.

Entry : il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Albi Cathedral (Exterior)

 The exterior of Albi Cathedral -- the largest brick building in the world : Albi, FR

If you want to see something really impressive, travel down to the French city of Albi and visit its cathedral. Construction began in 1287 and continued for 200 years. Originally built as a fortress, the Cathedral of Albi -- formerly the Cathedral of St Celicia of Albi -- is the largest brick building in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Detail over the main entrance : Albi Cathedral : Albi, FR

Entrance : Albi Cathedral : Albi, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/2012

Hard Work

This photo is a bit darker than I care for, but that couldn't be helpful, because I had to use a long focal length and short shutter speed as I had to stand a good 30 feet from the altar and I didn't have a tripod with me (I'm not sure you're allowed to use a tripod in the Basilica...). Anyway--it took me a good 15 minutes to shoot this set up.

Photo copyright: Janet M. Kincaid, 2/12

70-200mm

 Celtic Cross in the Founders Chapel (Crypt Level)

The first time I ever shot photos at the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, I was using a Canon A360. The shots were bad, but on this visit in February 2012, I used a Nikon D7000 with a 70-200mm Nikkor lens. The difference is spectacular!

Chapel to Mary, Queen of Missions (Crypt Level)

Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel (Upper Level)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

The Basilica

The National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception : Washington, DC

Had to use the new camera equipment before we left. What better place to try out wide angle and telephoto lenses than at a ginormous church?And what better ginormous church than the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception?

The Chapel of the Miraculous Medal : Shrine of the Immaculate Conception : Washington, DC

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/12

Young / Old Redux

Old chateau, new church : Nyon, CH

Nyon's signature chateau as seen from the courtyard of the Columbier Catholic Church.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Prague by Night, Part II

Gargoyle : St. Vitus Cathedral : Prague, CZ

Prague's largest cathedral is St. Vitus located inside the Prague Castle on the other side of the Charles Bridge. It's a Gothic cathedral and I would have liked to have seen the inside, but we ran out of time. I did, however, get a few good snaps at dusk.

Front facade of St. Vitus Cathedral : Prague, CZ

Backside of St. Vitus (please to forgive the blurriness...) : Prague, CZ

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/11

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Notre-Dame de la Garde : Marseille, FR

Mosaics and Neo-Byzantine architecture underscore this minor basilica : Marseille, FR

Towering above the city of Marseille is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard, or Notre-Dame de la Garde. Built in the Neo-Byzantine style, the basilica sits on Marseille's highest point at 532 ft (162 m) above sea level. The first chapel was built on the site in 1214 and the current structure was consecrated in 1864. The upper chapel is comprised largely of mosaics. The building is topped by a bell tower and capped by a 27 foot tall (11 m) statue of the Madonna and Child. These are just a few pictures from this minor basilica. To see more photos, visit my web album.

Passion of the Christ with the Il d'If in the background : Marseille, FR

The church pays homage to Marseille's seafaring industries :
Marseille, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/11

2TC: Carve/Curve

Carve: Intricate lace detail on a marble statue : 

Notre-Dame de la Garde : Marseille, FR

This week's 2 Things Challenge is Carve/Curve. The weekend featured a trip down to Marseille, France, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and home to the culinary delight known as bouillabaisse. These photos were taken inside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard (Notre-Dame de la Garde). The first is a detail shot of a marble carving of lace on the liturgical robes of a priest. The second shot is inside the basilica's main sanctuary and highlight the many curves in this Neo-Byzantine church.

Next week's 2 Things Challenge is Flimsy/Solid. 

Curve: Neo-Byzantine architecture :
Notre-Dame de la Garde : Marseille, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/11

Freiburger Münster

Portal Detail : Freiburger Münster : Freiburg im Briesgau, DE

Freiburg im Briesgau, Germany, features a beautiful cathedral in its old town (Altstadt) section. This is a photo of the front portal of the church, known as the Freiburger Münster. There was a service going on inside, so I don't have any interior shots.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

High Altar

Main Altar : Notre Dame St. Eglise : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

I had to play with the saturation and light levels to get this photo to look this bright. It was pretty dark inside Notre Dame St. Eglise when I took this, but I think this turned out nicely.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Confessional

Confessional IHS : Notre Dame St. Eglise : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

A few weeks ago, I noticed the door of Notre Dame St. Eglise--the Catholic church in Ferney--was open, so I popped in for a look. It was dark inside with the only lights being the one over this confessional, a few over the altar, and the waning dusk through the stained glass windows. I only took a handful of photos, as I quickly noticed that people were seated in a small chapel at the front of the church and I didn't want to disturb their contemplation anymore than I likely already had.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Catedral de la Almudena

Colorful ceilings and domes : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

I love shooting churches and cathedrals and I've shot a lot of them as a photographer. From Notre Dame in Paris to the Abbey at Bellelay in Switzerland, from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to the Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois, religious edifices fascinate me.

Contemporary stained glass : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

The Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, though, has to be hands down the most beautiful cathedral I have ever photographed. I'll let the photos and the slideshow (see below) speak for themselves.

Filli : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

Organ : Catedral de la Almudena : Madrid, ES

... Slideshow ...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Contemporary / Antiquated II

Beautiful frescoes : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

Another old/new feature in the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas are the old frescoes and the new stained glass. Here are a few examples of both. (Click to enlarge the last two pictures.)

Contemporary stained glass : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

Old and new, side-by-side : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10

Stringed Instruments and Organs...

Sing and dance, sayeth the Lord : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

Restoration work is currently ongoing on the organ in the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, but artwork running along the organ loft was quite beautiful and had to be photographed. The passage is Psalm 150:4--"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs."

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10

Contemporary / Antiquated

Old and new crucifixes : Cathedral of Saint Nicolas : Fribourg, CH

I loved the blending of old with new in this Gothic cathedral. In the case, it was a combination of a contemporary crucifix just below a trio of older crucifixes (is that the plural? Or is it crucifi? No, that's the action... Never mind... I'm sure I've just offended all of my Catholic friends. Mea culpa) that caught my eye.

A different angle...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10