Jewish Town Hall

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Clock with Hebrew numerals (letters)
Židovská radnice (Jewish Town Hall), Josefov
Prague, September 2017

“The Jewish Town Hall (Czech: Židovská radnice) in Josefov, Prague, was constructed adjacent to the Old New Synagogue on the corner of Maiselova and Červená Ulice in 1586 in Renaissance style under the sponsorship of Mayor Mordechai Maisel. It acquired its Rococo facade in the 18th century. The building was the main meeting house of the local Jewish community but is currently closed to the public. It is perhaps best known for its two clocks, one on a tower with Roman numeral markings, the other, lower, has Hebrew numerals, which are the same as letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew numerals begin with aleph and continue counterclockwise around the clock dial.” (Jewish Town Hall, Wikipedia)

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Post 3,653 of 3,653 - This blog will end on December 31st

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This is the last post of this blog. For the best part of ten years we have posted our daily photos, now it is time to stop, surely with some regrets. We wish to thank our faithful readers, they could always follow us on a similar Instagram account:

@spgpgc

or

https://www.instagram.com/spgpgc

A few new posts will probably find their way to these pages now and then.

“Asleep”

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“Asleep” by Fat Heat, 2016
Dunajská ulica, Staré Mesto
Bratislava, September 2017

Terrazza Mascagni

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Terrazza Mascagni
Viale Italia
Livorno, October 2015

“The Terrazza Mascagni is an elegant promenade by the sea with a wonderful view over the Tyrrhenian sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. It was built in the 1920's and named Terrazza Ciano after Costanzo Ciano, the local fascist leader and father of Galeazzo Ciano, who in 1930 married Mussolini's daughter Edda. After the war the name was aptly changed to honor Pietro Mascagni, the opera composer, but the old name stuck until the 1960's. As you can see this beautiful stretch of ‘lungomare’ (seafront) leads you to the rebuilt Gazebo and to the recently reopened Grand Hotel Palazzo. The Bagni Pancaldi Acquaviva, on the right in this photo, is a beach resort already famous in 19th century.” (Terrazza Mascagni, Livorno Daily Photo)

Lexington Street

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Around the London Fashion Week 2016
Lexington Street, Soho
London, September 2016

Millennium Tower

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Millennium Tower by Gustav Peichl, Boris Podrecca and Rudolf F. Weber, 1999
Handelskai, Brigittenau
Vienna, September 2017

“The Millennium Tower is the second tallest building and fourth tallest structure in Austria at 171 metres (561 feet). The tower is located at Handelskai 94-96 in the Brigittenau 20th district in Vienna, Austria. An antenna mounted on top of the tower brings the architectural height to 202 metres (663 feet) but does not count to its overall height. Millennium Tower was designed by the architects Gustav Peichl, Boris Podrecca and Rudolf Weber. The tower has 51 floors, serves both commercial and residential purposes, and is the focal point of a complex known as ‘Millennium City’. It was completed in 1999 for the coming of the third millennium. The office tower has a gross floor area of 47,200 m2 (508,000 sq ft), of which 38,500 m2 (414,000 sq ft)is used as office space. The remaining area is to 2 levels are generally available and is used for a shopping center (Millennium City), restaurants and a multiplex cinema (UCI). The Millennium Tower was built in an extremely short construction time: Thanks to efficient organization of all work steps and modern building techniques have created an average of 2 ½ floors a week and the building completed in 1999.” (Millennium Tower, Wikipedia)

Vintage Car

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Vintage car outside Palazzo Budini Gattai
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata
Florence, October 2015

Gyula Andrássy

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Equestrian statue of Gyula Andrassy by György Zala
Hungarian Parliament Building
Kossuth Lajos ter
Budapest, September 2017

“A mounted statue of Count Gyula Andrássy, Hungary’s Prime Minister between 1867 and 1871, has been finally completed and inaugurated in front of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest’s Kossuth Square. The original 6.5-metre high bronze equestrian statue statue, the work of renowned Hungarian sculptor György Zala, was installed on the square in 1906 but it was demolished due to ideological reasons by the Communist authorities after 1945. The old-new monument was inaugurated by House Speaker László Kövér on Tuesday afternoon. ‘The reconstructed Andrássy statue will return to its original place in its former glory’, he said, noting that its inauguration completes the process of restoring the pre-1944 look of the Square. Andrássy saw politics as ‘the art of seizable opportunities’, Kövér said, adding that the emotion that motivated his policies was patriotism. Budapest Mayor István Tarlós said the inauguration of the statue ‘gives Andrássy the recognition he deserves.’” (Monument of Gyula Andrássy Inaugurated, Hungary Today)

L'Estel ferit

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“L'Estel ferit” (The Wounded Shooting Star) by Rebecca Horn, 1992
Platja de Sant Miquel, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta
Barcelona, March 2017

“The sculpture L'Estel Ferit (The Wounded Shooting Star) consists of four twisted cubes, stacked seemingly at random. Most people refer to this popular landmark as ‘the cubes’, and it is a clear reflection of Barcelona's penchant for ground-breaking art during the Olympic period. However, its symbolism is inextricably linked to the past of the Barceloneta district. The sculpture L'Estel Ferit pays tribute to Barcelona's fishing district, the Barceloneta, and has become one of its iconic landmarks. The German artist Rebecca Horn heralded a new phase in the decoration of the city's streets and squares. It was 1992, and the city's most neglected neighbourhoods were in need of a clean up, while they opened up to the sea and adorned themselves with sculptures that were often innovative. In this case, Horn sought to immortalise the legendary seafront bars and restaurants, or xiringuitos, which just a few years before had dotted the Barceloneta coastline. The xiringuitos were shacks that had fallen into disrepair but still retained their essential charm. However, by the time the pre-Olympic city was being refurbished they had seen better days and were removed. Some people say that the cubes represent the 30m2 apartments, known locally as quarts de pis, which were built at the end of the 19th century. Whatever the interpretation, there's no denying that the artist created an impressive 10-metre-high sculpture, comprising four steel blocks that rise up from a concrete base. Each block, with its glass windows, comprises an individual module. Stacked one on top of another, these cubes look like they're performing a fragile dance and are held up by chance. Locals and visitors alike don't seem to fear the apparent instability of the structure, which is silhouetted against the background of the sea.” (L'Estel ferit, Turisme de Barcelona)

San Pietro alle Scale

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San Pietro alle Scale
Via San Pietro
Siena, April 2017

“San Pietro alle Scale, also known as San Pietro in Castelvecchio is a Roman Catholic parish church located on via San Pietro, Terzo of Città, in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. Initially built in the 12th-century, this parish church was completely rebuilt in a Baroque style in the 17th century; the brick facade has a portal with a depiction of Glory of St Peter. The belltower dates to 1699, and the facade to 1706. Amid the interior’s elaborate stucco decoration, are the remains of a 14th-century polyptych by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, depicting a Madonna with Child and Saints; St Lucia and the Archangel Gabriel; The Redeemer blessing; Sts Peter and Paul; and a Female Saint and St Michael Archangel. The church also contains a Rest on the Flight to Egypt (1621) by Rutilio Manetti. An altar on the right has a canvas depicting Madonna in Glory by Francesco Rustici, and a canvas of St Roch and St Catherine of Siena by Ventura Salimbeni. This is one of two churches in Siena dedicated to St Peter, the other is the church of San Pietro alla Magione.” (San Pietro alle Scale, Wikipedia)

The Horse

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The horse by David Černý, 2000
Pasáž Lucerna (Passage Lucerna), Palác Lucerna (Lucerna Palace)
Štěpánská / Vodičkova, Nové Město
Prague, September 2017

“A perfect starting point is the middle of Wenceslas Square, inside Lucerna Pasaz on Vodickova. Here, you will find 'Horse' – a dark, bastardised version of the imposing kingly statue situated in the square behind you. Hanging, Damocles-like, from a lime-tiled dome ceiling sits Wenceslas, astride his now dead, upside-down steed. Though Cerny never comments publicly on his work, the piece is seen to be a damning attack on current Czech President, Václav Klaus – a frequent subject for Cerny derision.” (A David Cerny sculpture walk in Prague, The Guardian)

Bastille Day Eve

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13 juillet (Bastille Day Eve)
Mairie du 3e arrondissement
Rue Eugène Spuller
Quartier des Enfants-Rouges, 3rd arrondissement
Paris, July 2009

“Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries/lands to the French National Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called la Fête nationale (The National Celebration) and commonly and legally le 14 juillet (the 14th of July). The French National Day commemorates the first anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, along with other French officials and foreign guests.” (Bastille Day, Wikipedia)

Torre di Arnolfo

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The tower of Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
Seen from Piazza Santa Croce
Florence, April 2017

“The solid, massive building is enhanced by the simple tower with its clock. Giovanni Villani wrote that Arnolfo di Cambio incorporated the ancient tower of the Foraboschi family (the tower then known as ‘La Vacca’ or ‘The Cow’) into the new tower's facade as its substructure; this is why the rectangular tower (height 94 m) is not directly centered in the building. This tower contains two small cells, that, at different times, imprisoned Cosimo de' Medici (the Elder) (1435) and Girolamo Savonarola (1498). The tower is named after its designer Torre d'Arnolfo. The tower's large, one-handed clock was originally constructed in 1353 by the Florentine Nicolò Bernardo, but was replaced in 1667 with a replica made by Georg Lederle from the German town of Augsburg (Italians refer to him as Giorgio Lederle of Augusta) and installed by Vincenzo Viviani.” (Palazzo Vecchio, Wikipedia)

Primate's Square

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Primaciálne námestie (Primate's Square)
Staré Mesto (Old Town)
Bratislava, September 2017

El Peix

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“Peix d'Or” (Golden Fish) by Frank Gehry, 1992
Passeig Marítim, Barceloneta
Barcelona, March 2017

“The 52m long golden fish sculpture El Peix is one of the best known and most striking landmarks on Barcelona’s seafront. It’s gold coloured stainless steel surface shines under the Mediterranean sun and changes appearance depending on the angle of the sun and the current weather conditions. The fish statue was built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The gold coloured steel structure serves as a canopy for the casino and restaurants which link the luxurious Hotel Arts to the seafront.” (Frank Gehry’s Golden Fish Sculpture, Barcelona Lowdown)

The Kiss

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Banner outside the Pinacoteca di Brera inspired by
“Il bacio” (The Kiss) by Francesco Hayez, 1859
Via Brera
Milano, November 2016

“Il bacio (The Kiss) is an 1859 painting by the Italian artist Francesco Hayez. It is possibly his best known work. This painting conveys the main features of Italian Romanticism and has come to represent the spirit of the Risorgimento. It was commissioned by Alfonso Maria Visconti di Saliceto, who donated to the Pinacoteca di Brera after his death. The painting represents a couple from the Middle Ages, embracing while they kiss each other. It is among the most passionate and intense representations of a kiss in the history of Western art. The girl leans backwards, while the man bends his left leg so as to support her, simultaneously placing a foot on the step next to him as though poised to go at any moment. The couple, though at the center of the painting, are not recognizable, as Hayez wanted the action of the kissing to be at the center of the composition. In the left part of the canvas shadowy forms lurk in the corner to give an impression of conspiracy and danger.” (The Kiss, Wikipedia)

Flying Dutchman’s Lighthouse

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Leuchtturm (Lighthouse), (Bregenz, 1989) 1997
Donauinsel (Danube Island)
Vienna, September 2017

“This lighthouse never operated on the Viennese Donauinsel. In fact, this is not a lighthouse, but only a part of the Wagner opera, The Flying Dutchman’s scenery. It was constructed at the Lake Constance stage at Bregenz in 1989, later transported to the Technical Museum in Vienna. Finally it found its place on the long Donauinsel in 1997. It soon became part of the city landscape, a favourite theme for many photographers, despite it is functioning as a weather station and a city webcam.” (Lighthouses of the Danube, Donau Insel)

Vincent & Theo van Gogh

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Vincent and Theo van Gogh's graves
Cimetière d'Auvers sur Oise
Chemin des Vallées
Auvers-sur-Oise, July 2005

“Dr. Paul Gachet lived in Auvers-sur-Oise. He was acquainted with the avant-garde artists of the time. Through this connection, Vincent van Gogh moved to Auvers to be treated by him, though he considered the doctor to be in a worse state than himself. Gachet befriended Van Gogh and was the subject of two portraits, one of which, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, was sold at auction for over $80m (£48m) in 1990. Van Gogh died by a gunshot to the chest. The room on the upper floor of the Auberge Ravoux where he died has been preserved, although no furniture remains. Auvers-sur-Oise is the final resting place of both Vincent and his brother Theo van Gogh, who died six months later.” (Auvers-sur-Oise, Wikipedia)

Gardens of Palazzo Corsini al Prato

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Gardens of Palazzo Corsini al Prato
Via il Prato
Florence, April 2017

“Adjoining the palazzo designed and begun by Bernardo Buontalenti in the late 16th century for Alessandro Acciaioli, the garden was completed on a plan by Gherardo Silvani in the following century. Originally conceived to apportion greater space to the experimental cultivations of Acciaioli, a great lover of botany, it was transformed into an Italian garden when it became property of Filippo di Lorenzo Corsini in 1621. Still today, the garden is divided into two parts by a lane lined by a series of statues on bases that gradually decrease in height, so as to give the perspective view an effect of greater depth. The regular shaped beds are made up of box hedges and decorated with potted citrus trees. At the end of the 16th century, Agostino Del Riccio reported the presence of one of the first examples of ‘bamia’ or arboreal althaea (Hybiscus syriacus). In the early 19th century, Antonietta Waldstatten Corsini transformed part of the English garden by realising a small hill, a lake, and several small woods traversed by winding paths. In addition to the Italian garden flower-beds, there are two lemon-houses for sheltering the potted citrus trees and a ‘carro matto’, a wooden instrument for raising and transporting vases. The garden also has a lawn with century-old linden trees and a vegetable garden-orchard, which is one of the few testimonies of agricultural areas inside the city.” (Palazzo Corsini al Prato Garden, Scientific Itineraries in Tuscany)

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

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Széchenyi lánchíd (Széchenyi Chain Bridge) by William Tierney Clark, 1849
Seen from the Budavári Palota (Buda Castle)
Budapest, September 2017

“The Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark and built by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary. It was opened in 1849. It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and on the Buda side to Adam Clark Square, near the Zero Kilometre Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular, leading to Buda Castle.” (Chain Bridge, Wikipedia)

The Dome

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Millennium Dome by Richard Rogers, 1999
Millennium Way, North Greenwich
London, September 2014

“The Millennium Dome, also referred to simply as The Dome, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium of the Common Era. Located on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London, England, the exhibition was open to the public from 1 January to 31 December 2000. The project and exhibition was the subject of considerable political controversy as it failed to attract the number of visitors anticipated, with recurring financial problems. All of the original exhibition and associated complex has since been demolished. The dome still exists, however, and it is now a key exterior feature of The O2. The Prime Meridian passes the western edge of the Dome and the nearest London Underground station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee line.” (Millennium Dome, Wikipedia)

Rearing Horse

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“Grande Cavallo Impennato” (Rearing Horse) by Aligi Sassu, 1969
Via Brera
Milano, November 2016

“Located in Via Brera in the very center of Milan, in front of the Accademia di Brera and its Pinacoteca as well as the house where the artist lived for a long time, this large work manifests the component of myth which Sassu manages to bestow on sculpture when he moves out of the field of ceramics or small sculptures, which are characterized by more refined, precious effects and a lyrical tone. Two of the five versions of this work are in the garden of the Confcommercio building in Milan and in Piazza della Repubblica in the Republic of San Marino.” (Large Rearing Horse, Aligi Sassu)

Palác Adria

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Palác Adria (Adria Palace) by Josef Zasche and Pavel Janák, 1926
Jungmannova / Národní, Nové Město
Prague, September 2017

“This Rondocubist palace with rich sculptural decoration was built from 1923–1924 at the corner of Národní Avenue and Jungmannova Street. The gallery is located on the building's first floor, and its exhibitions are prepared by the Association of Art Critics and Theorists (Sdružení výtvarných kritiků a teoretiků). In addition to exhibitions, it also holds lectures, discussions and other events relating to contemporary art.” (Critics’ Gallery – Adria Palace, Prague.eu)

Red Car & Flowers

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Shutter by Joel Arroyo (@lupanarlunar)
Vila de Gràcia
Barcelona, March 2017

Piazzale degli Uffizi

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Piazzale degli Uffizi
Florence, April 2017

Schöner Náci

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Schöner Náci (Lamár Ignác) by Juraj Meliš, 1997
Café Mayer, Hlavné námestie
Staré Mesto
Bratislava, September 2017

“Schöner Náci or Schöne Náci (real name Ignác Lamár, Hungarian: Lamár Ignác) was a renowned Bratislava character (German: Stadtoriginal) of the mid-20th century. He was born in Petržalka on 11 August 1897 (then Hungary), and died of tuberculosis in Lehnice on October 23, 1967 (then Czechoslovakia). He was originally buried in Lehnice, but his remains were reburied in Bratislava's Ondrejský cemetery on September 2, 2007. Schöner Náci was the son of a shoemaker and grandson of a famous clown, also Ignác Lamár, and was inspired by the latter's example to bring happiness to the streets of the city. He walked around the Old Town and in particular the stretch from Michael's Gate to the river, in top hat and tails, greeting women with the words, ‘I kiss your hand’ in German, Hungarian and Slovak. He received free food from several of the city’s cafes, and supported himself with occasional cleaning work.” (Schöner Náci, Wikipedia)

Priapus

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Herma of “Priapus” by Alexander Stoddart, 2007
Vincent Square, Pimlico
London, September 2014

“Stoddart's practice of encoding classical references in his sculpture is shown in the herm of Priapus that was installed in Vincent Square, London, last summer. Priapus, the Greek fertility god, is shown in rustic mode, ‘as though he was appearing on Gardeners' Question Time’. One hand carries a pair of shears, in acknowledgement of the nearby Royal Horticultural Society. There is a learned inscription about shepherds, the gist of which is that the modern world has gone to pot. Further evidence comes from a drawer in Stoddart's study. From it he produces a phallus. This should have been attached to the herm, as it would have been in the Classical era, but Stoddart, anticipating objections by the planners, did not think he could get away with it. ‘Girls go around half-naked, there is lewdness and innuendo everywhere, children dress like prostitutes to go to school,’ he fulminates, ‘but you can't show Priapus with a phallus.’” (Alexander Stoddart: talking statues, The Telegraph)

Courtyard of Palazzo Brera

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Courtyard of Palazzo Brera by Giuseppe Piermarini, 1780
Via Brera
Milan, November 2016

“Palazzo Brera or Palazzo di Brera is a monumental palace in Milan, in Lombardy in northern Italy. It was a Jesuit college for two hundred years. It now houses several cultural institutions including the Accademia di Brera, the art academy of the city, and its gallery, the Pinacoteca di Brera; the Orto Botanico di Brera, a botanical garden; an observatory, the Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera; the Istituto Lombardo Accademia di Scienze e Lettere, a learned society; and an important library, the Biblioteca di Brera.” (Palazzo Brera, Wikipedia)

Karlskirche

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Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church), 1737
Kreuzherrengasse
Vienna, September 2017

“Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church) is a baroque church located on the south side of Karlsplatz in Vienna, Austria. Widely considered the most outstanding baroque church in Vienna, as well as one of the city's greatest buildings, Karlskirche is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, one of the great counter-reformers of the sixteenth century. Located on the edge of the Innere Stadt, approximately 200 meters outside the Ringstraße, Karlskirche contains a dome in the form of an elongated ellipsoid. Since Karlsplatz was restored as an ensemble in the late 1980s, Karlskirche has garnered fame due to its dome and its two flanking columns of bas-reliefs, as well as its role as an architectural counterweight to the buildings of the Musikverein and of the Vienna University of Technology. The church is cared for by a religious order, the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star, and has long been the parish church as well as the seat of the Catholic student ministry of the Vienna University of Technology. Next to the Church was the Spitaler Gottesacker. Antonio Vivaldi was buried there.” (Karlskirche, Wikipedia)

Mercat del Born

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Mercat del Born by Antoni Rovira i Trias, 1878
La Ribera, Ciutat Vella
Barcelona, March 2017

“Mercat del Born is a former public market and one of the most important buildings in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain constructed with iron. Located in the lower and eastern side of the la Ribera neighborhood, it is the largest covered square in all of Europe and marked the start of Modernisme in Catalan architecture. The market is rectangular, with two large domed, intersecting buildings, and 4 smaller naves. The structure is supported on cast iron columns with a flat roof covered in glazed tile.” (Mercat del Born, Wikipedia)

Torre d'Arte

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Torre d'Arte (Tower of Art)
Via dello Studio
Florence, April 2017

Matthias Fountain

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Mátyás kútja (Matthias Fountain) by Stróbl Alojs, 1904
Budavári Palota (Buda Castle)
Budapest, September 2017

“Matthias Fountain (Mátyás kútja) is a monumental fountain group in the western forecourt of Buda Castle, Budapest. Alajos Stróbl’s Neo-Baroque masterpiece is one of the most frequently photographed landmark in the Hungarian capital. It is sometimes called the ‘Trevi Fountain of Budapest’. The group depicts a hunting party led by Matthias Corvinus, the king of Hungary. The bronze figures are standing on heaps of rocks against the backdrop of the northern facade of the former Castle Church. Water is running down between the cracks of the boulders. The whole theatrical arrangement bears resemblance to the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome although it is on a much smaller scale.” (Matthias Fountain, Wikipedia)