There is a church every where you turn in Rome. Some are more well known then others, but all, even the smallest of the small, is covered from top to bottom with beauty by the way of artwork, statues, mosaic tiles, marble and gold. Lots and lots of gold. The beauty of them overwhelm me and I find it hard to breath, I am blown away by what my eyes are seeing and I am brought to tears... If any other tourist are following me around, they probably think I am the weepiest person alive, but I just can't help it. I sit for many minutes just staring, then I say a prayer in thanks for allowing my eyes to see such things - - -then, when allowed, I try to take a decent photo so I can somehow share it with you. None can truly reflect what it feels like to sit inside one of these incredible structures, but here are a few to give you an idea. Remember, if you click on a photo in the post, it will open it to full screen.
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria
Bernini's statue of St. Teresa in Ecstasy.
St. Peter In Chains
The chains said to have held St. Peter
Michelangelo's Moses (the guy in the middle)
I was confused by the horns, it didn't seem all that holy to me... Turns out that St. Jerome goofed on the initial translation of the Hebrew text's word "cornuta" to horned, instead of halo... See what happens when you don't pay attention in Hebrew class Jerome!!!
Basillica di San Giovanni in Laterano
A very small section of the ceiling.
How do things stay up there?? That would take a whole lot of crazy glue...
One thought that kept running through my head - how they heck to they dust all this stuff?
Saint Mathew, the tax collector.
The Holy Stairs
These are said to the the stairs that were in Pilate's palace and that Jesus Christ climbed them the day of he was crucified... You are allowed to climb these stairs, but only on your knees. Needless to say, me and my old lady knees just stood and watched.
It is indeed even overwhelming to stare at the screen and try to digest all that is in these pictures. The history. The meaning. The politics. The combination of all the artists creating the art in the service of the church. I can't fathom it all. Since there are so many churches does that mean that most of the city is at some kind of service/worship all the time? Does everyone there GO to church or is it more now like a living time capsule?
ReplyDeleteI'd do anything right now to tap my heals three times and show up at your doorstep.
love,
STeph
Linda - Finally - We had checked a few times but didn't see anything on your blog. Now it is full of life and beauty. Have you been pinched yet? So glad you are happy and healthy. Take care of those knees! Sabine and I have a house guest from Australia and are wearing him out here too. Too bad you don't have an iPhone - It could give you most of the Italian translations, and info. on the sites. But maybe "unplugged" is the better way to experience Italy. Have a great time! Love, Bill and Sabine
ReplyDeleteOops - that's Austria. (Too much beer yesterday... Yeah - almost a full one, ha ha)
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