More photos from Lecce-such a photograpic city.
Tag: churches
Here and There on the Camino
I took a lot of photos as I explored the various villages on the Camino, as well as the gorgeous countryside in Aubrac and Aveyron.
One day we went out to what they call the Lake District. It was lovely but in Texas this would be called a pond. I did like the clouds reflected in the water.
There was a huge mural done in one village church of its history. This was part of it showing decorated cows. I think it was part of the transhumance, the moving of animals to higher levels in the summer. I’ve seen it done with sheep in Provence, but in this area it’s with cows.
Interesting architecture everywhere.
Churches and chateau are in every village. This was in Espalion.
I liked this memorial to a local man. Doesn’t he look friendly?
Not the best photo, but can you see the twisted church steeple? I’ve never seen one like it before. It’s a style called Gothic Flamboyant. The village was called Saint Come d’Olt.
Appealing architecture.
Porto
As it was getting close to New Year’s Eve Maurice suggested going somewhere as we had no plans for that evening. Maurice suggested Portugal and asked the guardienne who takes care of the buildings where we live for suggestions as she is Portuguese and she said Porto so we quickly booked a trip for three days. Porto turned out to be a really beautiful and interesting city, full of hills like San Francisco and beautiful architecture, a lot of it with embellished with blue and white tiles known as azulejos. It was started by the Moors who once ruled this area. We found the Portuguese people to be very friendly and warm.
The first thing I saw when we got out of the metro stop when we arrived was this beautiful chapel.
A closer view. This was more recent tile done in the early 1900’s.
Another decorated church. Note the gray skies. We got rained on a couple of times. The sun came out the day we left.
I think this church was closed but I loved the door and window.
Here’s another one.
There was some Art Nouveau too.
They put up two huge umbrellas which blocked the beautiful Café Majestic. It has a gorgeous interior which is worth buying a overpriced drink to see just don’t, please, eat there. I did and I’m sorry. We had the crummiest seats in there too.
The pretty bar there. Over crowded with tourists. It’s listed in every book and article you read about what to see in Porto.
The Camino
The French call it le Chemin. We started seeing the same people as we hiked either from the gite the night before or at stops to sit or drink. There was a group of three ladies walking much faster than we did laughing and talking a mile a minute. One of them always wore shorts, even on the day we got heavy rain and wind. On our very first night at our gite we met a man we would see over and over, sometimes on the road or in our gite. We used a company to carry our bags to each gite. I knew I wouldn’t be one of those with a huge bag on my back. There were a few places to get fresh water but toilets were rare. I am not a camper and don’t like the whole potty in the forest thing but had to a few times. Most of the meals we had each night were what Maurice called “gite food”, not the best but filling. There were always big tables for the hikers at dinner so we got to know each other.
There were symbols of the pilgrims everywhere. This was on the side of a church. The scallop shell represents Saint James as those that made it all the way to his burial site brought back a shell to prove they had made it.
There were churches everwhere and lots of little places set up for pilgrims too.
Lots of roses and crosses.
There were signs everywhere, especially in villages. Mostly we depended on the red and white ones for directions but still managed to lose our way a few times.
Spring flowers were everywhere, especially these white daisies.
Sacred
Z Santa Fe is full of ancient churches and chapels.
San Miguel Chapel which is one of the oldest in the States.
The Miraculous staircase in the Lorreta chapel, which seemes to sort of hang in the air. It didn’t have bannisters to begin with and structural poles were added later. Nuns ran up and down it without any accidents.
Another view from the front of the chapel.
Searching For A Creche
I am always looking for a great Creche as we near Christmas. To tell the truth, I’ve been less than impressed with many I see around Paris.
I looked in the St Severin Church known for its “alley” of “palm trees”.
This was it: interesting but not very impressive.
I did like this little boat hanging from the ceiling with what looks like the Holy Family being transported in a boat but it’s always there and has nothing to do with Christmas.
A very simple creche at St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church.
The cross on a statue of St Antoine there looking like it has been touched by many hands.
Notre Dame has a creche from Sicily which used to be at the St Sulpice Church. It’s enormous with running water and little Satons everywhere. I think this is my favorite.