Marseille

What do you think of this cathedral?  Or should I say, cathedral walls and ceiling?  I couldn’t really get a good photo aimed lower due to the dozens of tourists in the way.  So, I aimed higher to avoid them ruining my photo.  This cathedral is the amazing Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde.  Otherwise known as “the Mariners church”.  It sits up on a large hill overlooking the city of Marseille France and the beautiful southern France coast. 

The stripped interior design is very unique for a church or frankly any building interior.  The inside also has a great collection of small scale boat models (donated by sailors) on shelves and hanging from the ceiling.  The sailors give them upon returning from a dangerous trip or in advance to bring them safety.  The construction was completed in 1864 with parts of it started in 1214.  Amazing spot!!

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Catedral de San Juan Bautista

What is it about churches, temples, cathedrals and similar structures?  I’m drawn to them for some reason and it isn’t for the religion.  The obvious answer that the universe would scream back at me is “It’s the architecture stupid!!”  And if its an abandoned church, well………………..

I captured this photo inside the Catedral San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan Puerto Rico.

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San Juan Cemetery

Hello Friday!!!  I can’t wait for you to arrive and the weekend to start.  So I’m going to keep this brief tonight.  Enjoy this nice photo of Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Plazzi in Old San Juan.

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Heyward

Cameron Heyward is a huge defensive end for the Steelers.  The Steelers drafted him in the first round of the 2011 draft with their 31st pick.  He played college at that terrible school called Ohio State.  Regardless, during his time in Pittsburgh, he’s been a force to reckon with…..  

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Capilla del Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis

I took this photo during our last trip to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I’ve been to Old San Juan numerous times, but I never explored the cemetery until this visit.  I got lots of great photos of this spot.  

Here is information on this location that I found on Puerto Rico Historic Building Drawings Society FB page.  Their FB page states that this is a colonial-era cemetery that is the final resting place of many prominent residents.  They started construction in 1863 outside of the walls of Fort Felipe del Morro fortress over looking the Atlantic Ocean.  I found the place very interesting and beautiful in its own way.

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Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

I took this photo last May during our Europe trip.  Towards the end of the trip, we spent some time in Marseille France, which is a lovely city.  While in Marseille, we went to the Notre-Dame da le Garde, which is the Catholic basilica in this part of France.  It opened in June 1864 and is the most visited site in Marseille.  Maybe in a future post, I’ll share a photo of the outside, which is just as great.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries.  I recently updated them.

Plaza de Armas - Cusco Peru

This is a wonderful Plaza in the heart of Cusco Peru.  My dad, MJ and I explored this area and many other parts of the city.  I’d highly recommend it if you get a chance.  Friendly people, clean, safe, great architecture and history, and cheap.  Great combination!!

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus)

This is the rival church to the Cusco Cathedral.  Both of these churches sit near each other on the Plaza de Armas.   The Jesuits constructed it in 1576 on the foundations of a palace built for an Inca ruler named Wayna Qhapaq.  It’s considered one of the best examples of colonial baroque style in the Americas.

My dad, MJ and I toured the inside of this beautiful church before I took this photo.  Fun day.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, please click the photo above.

Basilica Cathedral de Lima (Peru)

We didn’t get a chance to enter this beautiful Roman Catholic Church, but we spent some time in the Plaza Mayor across the street.  The construction started on this building in 1535.  The construction was completed three years later in 1538 and has been remodeled since a few times.

It was very disappointing that every church is Lima would charge you to enter (just to look) and wouldn’t allow photography….  Ugh!!!!   Anyway, it was cool to look at from the outside.

To get an idea of scale, look closely at the cars and people in front of the building.  Cool stuff!!