In a few days, the cornonation of King Charles will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, England. MJ and I spent a little time in London recently, scoping out the facility on behalf of the monarch…..or not. Either way, we toured the Abbey.
I’ll admit it, Westinster Abbey was a highlight of the trip for me. Here are some photos from this wonderful architectural site. As you’ll see, I loved the ceilings and that helped keep people out of the photos.
This is from our Iceland trip about this time last year. This large Lutheran church sits upon a hill overlooking downtown Akureyri. Akureyri is the 2nd largest city in the country and sits on the northern coast.
This beautiful little turf church is in the southeast coast of Iceland near the village of Hof. There are only six turf churches left in the country and we got a chance to see two of them on our last trip to Iceland. As you might have noticed, there are graves all around the church courtyard which are the small mounds in the foreground of this photo. None of them have grave headstones or markers, but I assume they have records of who is buried where around the church.
Seru Largu means large hill and from this large hill in Bonaire you can see the capital city (Kralendijk) and the island of Klein Bonaire. A religious group constructed this monument with the words “Krisu Ayera Awe Semper” which means “Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever”. Not only do you get a great view from this spot to see the island, but this small monument is pretty cool as well.
To view a larger version, click HERE
I’ve been absent from my website and social media the last 10 days. It just didn’t make sense to post my silly photos with everything significant going on in the world. We’re far from any real new or better “normal”, but I’m going to try to get back into my routine of posting photos.
So tonight, I’m sharing a photo from one of the many Naves (this one in the basement) in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
To view a larger version, click HERE
I took this photo a couple years ago in the abandoned Holy Family Church. This massive church and attached school was a great explore. I went by it a year later and it had signs all over it stating it was going to be destroyed. I’m honestly not sure if they torn it down or now.
By the way, I’m sure there is a technical name for this room off the back of the altar. This room holds all the clothing, gowns, and religious items needed for the priest and the services. I think it would be called a Sacristy or Vestry, but I’m not sure. If you know what this room is called, let me know. I loved the hand made cabinets in this space….
To view a larger version, click HERE
From a better time in our lives…. One year ago, we went on an European River Cruise. One of our many stops was at this wonderful Abbey….
This is a Benedictine Abbey looking down on Melk, Austria. The Abbey was founded in 1089….. the first portion of the complex was built long before that.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Here is something a little different for you. This is the beautiful ceiling inside the Church of St Michael in Passau Germany. This picture doesn’t do the actual church ceiling justice. It was outstanding.
By the way, I took this photo last summer during a European river cruise with MJ and “The Neighbors”. “The Neighbors” refers to Kris and Scott who we travel with frequently and who used to be our actual neighbors. They travel with us so much and know I love photographing churches. So Kris refers to them as “ABC”…which stands for Another Big Church.
To view a larger version, click HERE
I’m going to do my best to relax this weekend and reduce my stress level. I hope you do as well. I’m starting my long weekend by posting this photo from Gary Indiana. I took this photo during the filming of “Shutter Rush – City of Abandonment” which will be released later this spring/early summer.
To view a larger version, click HERE
When Blair and I traveled to Ukraine to visit Chernobyl, we stayed in a little village called Slavutych. From here, we traveled by train each day back and forth to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to explore the nuclear power plants, Pripyat, and the surrounding area. On our last morning, we talked to this church in Slavutych to photograph this wonderful facility. I don’t know anything about their traditions, but I found it interesting that the church had no pews or chairs inside. During the service, everyone stands.
As you can see, it was a foggy morning with a gray sky.
To view a larger version, click HERE
I loved this cathedral in downtown Kiev, but I had a hard time capturing it. It’s large so you need to get back to get it all in, but you can’t due to the outside wall surrounding the building. You also can’t get a clean shot without dozens of people standing in the way. There are some clean perspectives around the back that are not as pretty. So, I went with this zoomed in perspective of the rooftop, which was also hard to capture due to trees (as you can see).
The position of this cathedral is great within the city. Its at the end of a major road overlooking the Dnieper River. The facility itself is amazing. I just failed as a photographer to capture it. Sorry about that.
To view a larger version, click HERE
I really need to get out and take more photos. I have all kinds excuses, which I’ll spare listing for you. Some of them are real and some I’ve just let get in my way. Basically, I have a mental block right now. I need a photography kick in the butt. I need to get outside, get in an abandoned building, get out of bed to catch a sunrise, put my drone in the air and/or just find a beautiful spot to capture. Something to get me motivated.
Today’s photo is one I took a while back at a classic Pittsburgh spot. This beautiful abandoned cathedral is one of my favorites.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Happy Sunday. Short post for you today….. This is the U.S. Air Force Cadet Chapel (Colorado Springs CO), just from a unique perspective/weird angle. I love the architecture of this place.
Have a great week. To view a larger version, click HERE
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.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
Last weekend, I got a chance to photograph the inside of this wonderful church with a few other photogs. This great facility is an architectural wonder. If you’re in East Liberty, it is worth a visit regardless of your religious beliefs.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
This is a picture from inside the abandoned St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Pittsburgh. I’ve been to this site numerous times over the years and I am always amazed at how it changes over time. The most recent changes are all the graffiti paintings that are new. Have a great weekend.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
