Thursday, September 30, 2021
Brama Mariacka
Brama Mariacka (St. Mary's Gate)
Długie Pobrzeże / ulica Mariacka
Gdańsk, September 2018
“If there’s a more scenic street in Gdańsk Old Town we’ve yet to find it. Mariacka is without doubt the jewel in Gdańsk’s crown, a picturesque street of gabled houses and gruesome gargoyles. Towering over it, St Mary’s Basilica, the largest brick church in the world. And there’s no better way to approach it than through Brama Mariacka, a shadowy Gothic gateway that could have been built with Dracula in mind. First mentioned in 1484 this place took a hammering in 1945, and pics from that time reveal an image not unlike Hiroshima. Painstakingly rebuilt between 1958 and 1961, after which time the side wing has served as seat of the Archaeological Museum. The gate has been renovated and the shiny polychrome you see of two lions holding the Gdańsk coat of arms aloft was restored in 2006.” (St. Mary's Gate, In Your Pocket)
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Monday, September 27, 2021
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Friday, September 24, 2021
Motherland
Detail of the Motherland
Pomnik Adama Mickiewicza (Adam Mickiewicz Monument) by Teodor Rygier, 1898
Rynek Główny
Stare Miasto (Old Town)
Kraków, September 2018
“Adam Mickiewicz Monument in Kraków, (Pomnik Adama Mickiewicza w Krakowie), is one of the best known bronze monuments in Poland, and a favourite meeting place at the Main Market Square in the Old Town (Stare Miasto) district of Kraków. The statue of Adam Mickiewicz, the greatest Polish Romantic poet of the 19th century, was unveiled on June 16, 1898, on the 100th anniversary of his birth, in the presence of his daughter and son. It was designed by Teodor Rygier, a little-known sculptor at the time, who won the third and final competition for this project by popular demand ahead of over 60 artists in total, the renowned painter Jan Matejko included. Even though the first prize was awarded to famed Cyprian Godebski, professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg from Paris, with Rygier at a close second, for the final execution a more popular design by Rygier was accepted with a contract signed in November 1889. At the poet's feet are four allegoric groups symbolising the Motherland (from the face of the monument along Sienna Street), Science (facing north), Courage (facing Sukiennice Hall) and Poetry (facing Church of St. Wojciech, south). The inscription on the pedestal reads: ‘To Adam Mickiewicz, the Nation’. The monument came into being at a studio on Długa Street under the supervision of an artistic committee. All the figures were cast in the Nellich foundry in Rome. The final location of the monument was not decided at once, with at least three other city squares taken into consideration. Ultimately, it was the city Mayor who suggested that the structure be placed in the Main Market Square instead. In 1940 the monument was destroyed by the Nazis following German invasion of Poland (photo). It was not to be seen in the Square until its restoration in 1955. However, most of the figures were recovered from a Hamburg scrap metal heap in 1946, which allowed the restoration of the Monument's original appearance.” (Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Wikipedia)
Thursday, September 23, 2021
For Anna Kendall
Girl reading, balancing on hoop with pencil by Christopher Linsey
(For Anna Kendall, headteacher of Christ Church Primary School, 1992-2009)
Robinson Street, Chelsea
London, September 2014
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Saints Cosma and Damian
Chiesa dei Santi Cosma e Damiano (Church of the Saints Cosma and Damian)
Vico dietro il coro di San Cosimo
Genoa, April 2016
“The church of Santi Cosma e Damiano is located in central Genoa, Italy. Located at the site of an ancient oratory dedicated to the martyrs St. Cosma and Damian. The skull and tibia of the latter are presumably among the relics in the church. They were the patron saints of barbers and doctors. The first documents about the church date to 1049. In 1684, the church roof was damaged by the naval bombardment of the city. It was also damage in World War II. It contains a painting of Esther and Assuerus by Bernardo Castello and a Madonna and child with St Cosma and Damian by Gioacchino Assereto.” (Santi Cosma e Damiano, Wikipedia)
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Brama Straganiarska
Brama Straganiarska (Straganiarska Gate)
Długie Pobrzeże, ulica Straganiarska
Gdańsk, September 2018
Monday, September 20, 2021
Font de La Maja Madrileña
Font de La Maja Madrileña by Lluís Montané i Mollfulleda, 1958
Plaça de la Vila de Madrid
Ciutat Vella, Barri Gòtic
Barcelona, March 2017
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Palazzo Aldrovandi
Detail of a window
Palazzo Aldrovandi
Via Galliera
Bologna, June 2015
“The Palazzo Aldovrandi is a Senatorial palace on Via Galliera 8 in Bologna, built in Rococo style. Replacing an older construction, the palace we see today began in 1725 under the patronage of the Cardinal Pompeo Aldrovandi with plans commissioned from Franco Maria Angelini. After Angelini's death in 1731, the work, including the Rococo facade, ornamented with Istrian marble, continued by 1741 under Alfonso Torreggiani. He designed the palaces ornate and peculiar Rococo windows with almost undulating arches superiorly. The palace lacks the typical porticos seen in older Bolognes palaces. One house over on Via Galliera 4, the Palazzo Torfanini has a Renaissance architecture ground arcade, but a piano nobile refurbished with windows by the same architect Torreggiani. Further down the street on Via Galliera 10 is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The cardinal's once large art collection mainly made its way to the National Gallery of London. The library was dispersed by the middle of the 19th century. In the 19th century the Aldrovandi family had a majolica factory in a section of the palace. The interior contains the frescoes of Stefano Orlandi[1] and Vittorio Maria Bigari. The grand entry staircase is particularly notable. The palace changed hands in the 19th century to the Montanari family.” (Palazzo Aldrovandi, Wikipedia)
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Friday, September 17, 2021
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Collegium Maius
Courtyard of the Collegium Maius
Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego (Jagiellonian University Museum)
Jagiellońska
Stare Miasto (Old Town)
Kraków, September 2018
“The Collegium Maius (Latin for ‘Great College’) located in Kraków Old Town, Poland, is the Jagiellonian University's oldest building, dating back to the 14th century. It stands at the corner of ulica Jagiellońska (Jagiellon Street) and ulica Świętej Anny (St. Anne Street) near the Main Square of the historic city centre. Collegium Maius is the location of the Jagiellonian University Museum (Polish: Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego), a registered museum established on the initiative of Prof. Karol Estreicher after meticulous restorations which lasted from 1949 through 1964, bringing the edifice back to its original look from before 1840.” (Collegium Maius, Wikipedia)
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Font de Santa Ana
Font de Santa Ana (Fountain of Santa Ana), 1356
Carrer dels Arcs
Barcelona, March 2017
“El Font de Santa Ana dates back to 1356 and is the oldest fountain in Barcelona. Installed in a small square next to the Portal dels Orbs. Initially, it was just a large stone trough used to water animals. In 1375 a fountain was added to supply drinking water to the city’s human population. The hexagonal stone structure which stands today was built in 1819. The decorative blue and white tiles and green ceramic vases were added in 1918. Nowadays drinking water comes from two brass taps but originally it would have spouted from the carved stone faces on each side of the fountain.” (Medieval Fountains, Barcelona Lowdown)
Monday, September 13, 2021
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Genova Piazza Principe
Genova Piazza Principe railway station
Seen from Ponte Umberto Pini
Genoa, April 2016
“Genova Piazza Principe railway station (commonly called Genova Principe or incorrectly Genova Porta Principe) is the central station of Genoa and is located on Piazza Acquaverde, occupying the entire north side of Via Andrea Doria—where the station entrance is located—in the town centre and a short distance from the Palazzo del Principe, from which it takes its name. It is used by about 66,000 passengers per day and 24,000,000 per year. The first temporary station was opened in 1854 at the end of the line from Turin. Lines were later opened to Milan, Rome and the French border at Ventimiglia.” (Genova Piazza Principe railway station, Wikipedia)
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Brama Chlebnicka
Brama Chlebnicka (Bread Gate)
Długie Pobrzeże / ulica Chlebnicka
Gdańsk, September 2018
“Of all the gateways in Gdańsk, it’s this one that’s the best preserved, and that’s no small feat considering the pounding the Russians gave the city at the end of the war. Thought to have been completed in 1450, this signature piece of the Gothic-style features curved cornices and a pointy arch and, upon closer inspection on the waterfront's side, you can find the oldest coat of arms on show in the city - a crest of two silver crosses imposed on a red shield, which was added in 1457. That’s not the only piece of identification stamped on the structure. Duck through the passage and you’ll find a lily, once the symbol of the Dukes of Pomerania.” (Chlebnicka Gate, In Your Pocket)
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
St. Francis de Sales
Church of Sant Francesc de Sales by Joan Martorell, 1885
Passeig de Sant Joan
Barcelona, March 2017
“In the middle of Passeig de Sant Joan Avenue, between the Valencia and Aragó streets, stands majestically one of the most beautiful examples of neogothic architecture in Barcelona. The current church of Sant Francesc de Sales was built between 1878 and 1885 as part of the convent of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. After the abandonment of the convent in 1936 by the Salesian nuns, the building was converted into a religious college and later into a parish church. This construction of great elegance and beauty is considered as the most important work of the architect Joan Martorell y Montells (1833-1906), born in Barcelona and Antoni Gaudí's teacher.The church has a single nave with the shape of a Latin cross, polygonal apse and a protruding dome. The materials used are very diverse: bricks, stone, ceramics. Highlights” (Sant Francesc de Sales Church, Turismo en Catalunya)
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Monday, September 6, 2021
Sunday, September 5, 2021
Church of St Yeghiche
Church of St Yeghiche
Cranley Gardens, South Kensington
London, September 2014
“St Yeghiche Armenian Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Եղիշե եկեղեցի) is the largest church of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Great Britain. It faces Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London. The church was privately built in 1867 as St. Peter's Anglican Church by highly successful developer, Charles James Freake, whose widow came to live later in life in one of the adjacent houses. It became the parish church of Kensington (St Peter's). By an Order in Council of December 1972 Saint Peter's was declared redundant with the intention that the building be leased to the Armenian Orthodox Church. Anglican services ceased in January 1973. The building was purchased by a benefactor in 1998 and restored, with the addition of features required by the Armenian Divine Liturgy. Another Armenian church in Kensington, of the traditional Armenian style, is St Sarkis.” (Church of St Yeghiche, Wikipedia)
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Sightseeing Genova
CitySightseeing Genova bus
Equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy by Francesco Barzaghi, 1886
Piazza Corvetto
Genoa, April 2016
Friday, September 3, 2021
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Torre de les Aigües
Torre de les Aigües (Water tower) by Josep Amargós i Samaranch, 1905
Parc d'atraccions Tibidabo
Carretera de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo
Barcelona, March 2017
“At the beginning of the last century the Torre de les Aigües del Tibidabo was built, a water tower which was also known as the Torre de les Aigües de Dos Rius. Since then the water tank, which is located in the upper part of the building, has been used to store 100 square metres of water, meaning Dr. Andreu’s colony and the other buildings at the top of the mountain have a water supply. The tower was built by the Societat General d’Aigües de Barcelona, which nowadays is the company Aigües de Barcelona, and was the first building to change the Tibidabo skyline. When it was opened in 1905 it won the Barcelona City Architecture Award and at the time was a highly appreciated building, even though it is not so prominent these days. Sònia Hernández, director at the Museu Agbar de les Aigües, explains, “At present it’s rather unknown. When people look up at the mountain skyline there are other buildings which stand out more, such as the Torre de Collserola and the Sagnier temple which are much more visible”. The tower was the work of Josep Amargós i Samaranch. The Catalan architect used brick and natural stone for the building. Inside the first electric lifts in the Spanish state were installed in order to access the tank easily. As well as the tower, Amargós also was also responsible for other buildings for the Societat General d’Aigües de Barcelona.” (A water tower, one of the first symbols at the top of Tibidabo, Info Barcelona)
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
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