Old North Church

The Old North Church is famous for “one if by land, two if by sea.” Here’s a photo of the Paul Revere statue with the steeple of the church in the background:

Paul Revere's statue with the Old North Church in the background.

Paul Revere’s statue with the Old North Church in the background.

Inside, you’ll find a rather austere building as the next photo shows:

Interior of the Old North Church, Boston, MA, USA.

Interior of the Old North Church, Boston, MA, USA.

It’s amazing to think that this building figured prominently in the start of the American Revolution. Here’s another view of the interior:

Another view of the interior of the Old North Church, Boston, MA, USA.

Another view of the interior of the Old North Church, Boston, MA, USA.

If you happen to be in Boston, you definitely want to stop in here for a look around. You’ll be surrounded by history and see one of the places where it all began.

Published in: on September 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm  Comments (1)  
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Salamanca’s Cathedral

Salamanca, Spain, is blessed with a number of remarkable buildings, including the Catedral Nueva which is actually built adjacent to the older one.

Catedral Nueva, Salamanca, Spain.

Catedral Nueva, Salamanca, Spain.

Even my widest angle lens had trouble capturing the entire exterior in a single frame. Inside, the sweeping columns rise to amazing heights.

Inside Salamanca's Catedral Nueva.

Inside Salamanca’s Catedral Nueva.

Quite a large amount of light falls into this building, compared to the Romanesque style cathedrals you’ll find in other cities. Heading to the “old” cathedral through a door, you’ll find a number of paintings such as these:

Interior paintings, Salamanca's "Old" Cathedral.

Interior paintings, Salamanca’s “Old” Cathedral.

As well as some interesting tombs:

Tomb and wall paintings at Salamanca's Cathedral.

Tomb and wall paintings at Salamanca’s Cathedral.

Back inside the “new” cathedral, you’ll find this pipe organ.

Detail from inside Salamanca's Catedral Nueva.

Detail from inside Salamanca’s Catedral Nueva.

I found this bit of rope and tackle intriguing.

Equipment used to build the cathedral or hoist the bells? Maybe.

Equipment used to build the cathedral or hoist the bells? Maybe.

Of course, there is so much more to see during a visit to this sacred place. Take your time and plenty of photos. The cool air inside invites you to linger and ponder.

 

Published in: on July 21, 2014 at 9:31 am  Leave a Comment  
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Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain

The Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar was built by the Augustinians who took over a former Benedictine monastery. In this first photo, you see the lines of the main structure built in the Romanesque style:

Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Surely in it’s time, it was an imposing building and it still dominates the town today. Going inside the grounds, you’ll find a very pleasant cloister.

View from inside the cloister at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

View from inside the cloister at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

The columns in this cloister are carved with various religious symbols.

Column detail at Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Column detail at Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

And many are covered with vines.

Another view in the cloister of the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Another view in the cloister of the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Going into the church itself you find an impressive altar piece from the 15th century depicting the martyrdom of Saint Juliana.

15th Century altar piece at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

15th Century altar piece at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

As well as this stone tomb for the saint’s remains:

Saint Juliana at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Saint Juliana at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Not to mention a powerful set of pipes for the organ:

Organ pipes at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Organ pipes at the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Spain.

The walk through this church is a step back in time. Within its cool environs you’ll find a sense of dignity and piety that may be lacking at times in larger, busier cathedrals. As always, enter with respect and take your time to absorb the many details that fill this holy place.

 

Published in: on June 27, 2014 at 10:04 am  Leave a Comment  
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Waking a Beast, video

Before a steam engine can go out on the rails, there’s plenty of work to be done. As you see in the following video, the crew of Locomotive No. 40 does the job well. (Check it out in 1080 full screen if your internet connection is capable.)

The tools are heavy, the job is dirty, the temperatures alternate from boiling to freezing, but it’s a labor of love keeping steam trains running. Thanks to the good folks like the people you saw in the video, the rest of us get to enjoy the ride and the majesty of these machines. Take your family and see all there is along the rails.

Published in: on October 15, 2012 at 1:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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