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

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

St. Vitus Cathedral

Main Portal : St. Vitus Cathedral : Prague, CZ

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I love a good cathedral. I enjoy photographing them, I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into them, and I like their history. I confess, I know nothing about St. Vitus. I also have to say I was I was thoroughly underwhelmed by this cathedral. You have to pay to enter the main sanctuary and approach the altar area. I wasn't willing to do that, so as a result, I have only a few photos of Prague's most prominent landmark.

Mosaic : St. Vitus Cathedral : Prague, CZ

Stained Glass : St. Vitus Cathedral : Prague, CZ

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/11

Gothic Quaint

Gothic quaint in Ribeauville, FR

If you wander away from the main drag in Ribeauville, you'll find some quaint buildings and quiet churches scattered throughout the town. I can't remember the name of this small Gothic-style church, but I love how my photos, using my Apple iPod Touch, turned out.

Holy Mother a la Apple! : Ribeauville, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/11

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

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

Münster Fugue

 Organ : Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster is home to another great organ. In 1726, this organ was commissioned for the Cathedral of Berne. In 1999, the organ was restored and expanded at a cost of Sfr 4 million (more than US$3 million at that time.) We were fortunate to hear the organ while we were there and I found this video of organist Diane Bish playing the Münster organ. To hear her play a toccata on this magnificent piece, go here. To see more pictures of this organ, go here.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Berner Münster

Gargoyles on the Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster, or Cathedral of Berne, is Switzerland's largest Gothic cathedral. Construction on the cathedral commenced in 1421 and was completed in 1893--a span of 472 years. Within 30 years of the founding of Bern (Swiss spelling), a chapel was built on the grounds where the current cathedral stands. Over the next five centuries, the building grew as the city grew. The church was originally Catholic, but as the years progressed switched to Protestant, which is what it is today. The cathedral's tower holds the largest bell in Switzerland: 10 tons in weight and 8 feet in diameter. The bell was cast in 1611. To hear the cathedral's seven bells, go here. To see more pictures of this edifice, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Buttress

Flying buttresses--a Notre Dame original--hold up the high walls of this Gothic cathedral : Paris, FR

According to Wikipedia, Notre Dame was one of "the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports)." Apparently, the original building didn't call for this feature, but stress fractures began appearing in the walls as the building grew in height. Arched exterior supports were added to hold up the walls and this eventually become a pattern in this type of Gothic architecture. Load bearing columns also assist in holding up the high ceilings that make this type of architectural style so lofty and awe-inspiring. This picture was taken from the back of the building and you can just see them peeking out above the tree line, holding up the apse of this grand cathedral.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Our Lady of Paris

Exalted : Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris : Paris, FR

As mentioned yesterday, the last time I was in Paris, the bulk of my interior shots of the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris were abysmal and a disappointment. I had a few gems here and there, but for the most part, my photos were a total wash. This time, however, I had better results.

Light a Candle for Peace and for Our Lady : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

Here are a few shots from inside this grand cathedral. Building on the cathedral started in 1163 and finished in 1345. For someone from the U.S., that's long before Europeans ever even considered sailing across the ocean and settling in the New World. The oldest thing we have in America is the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia and it's only 400 years old!

Stained Glass Beauty : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

To see more interior shots of Notre Dame, visit my Picasa Web Albums.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

The Bells! The Bells!

Gargoyle on Notre Dame with the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in the background : Paris, FR

The last time I was in Paris, I was shooting with my little point-and-shoot Canon. I didn't have my tripod with me, so my photos of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris) turned out less than optimal. In fact, they were downright crap. This time around, I had my new Nikon and my tripod, so my photos of Notre Dame turned out considerably better and my faith in my ability to shoot the interiors of cavernous cathedrals was restored. This time around, I also took the stairs to the top of the cathedral and enjoyed some fantastic views of Paris. Go to my Picasa Web Albums to see more gargoyles and flying buttresses. Come back tomorrow and see my interior shots.

Gargoyle on Notre Dame with the Eiffel Tower in the background : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10