theonlyD800inthehameau
Photography by theonlydeadheadinthehameau
Weekly Photo Challenge: Out of this world
Posted on March 1, 2018
In modern times, the power of religion is much diluted. However, it is important to remember that at one time the grandeur of great cathedrals – now often faded – was designed to impress a superstitious and almost certainly illiterate populace.
Both the architecture and the decor were intended to provide an idea of the glories of the life hereafter: literally out of this world.
Even now, the twin domes of the cathedral of Cahors can still impress even the most determinedly secular of observers.
The old staircase
Posted on February 23, 2018
This ancient and very worn staircase can be found on the Pont Valentre in the town of Cahors, in southern France.
Amazingly, worn as it is and with no handrail, it is not roped off in any way to prevent public access. It would take a brave or foolhardy soul to climb it, though, however impressive the views over the River Lot might be from the top.
The staircase
Posted on January 26, 2018
While visiting the restored medieval abbey of Noirlac last year, I was struck by this almost abstract composition of a curving staircase and austere stone walls. Another homage to M C Escher and suitable for Cee’s Black & White subject of ‘Walls’ this week.
Roman right-angle
Posted on January 12, 2018
At the Roman site of Cassinomagus, archaeologists have excavated the steps that surrounded and led down to the fountain or spring that would have provided the settlement with most of its fresh water. This is a detail of one corner.
Tuesday Photo Challenge: Circle
Posted on January 9, 2018
The Bénédictins railway station in the city of Limoges has been voted the most beautiful train station in Europe. It’s not bad, that’s for sure. This is the skylight in the dome that covers the main hall. I think it meets with Frank’s theme this week of ‘Circle’.
Domes
Posted on December 22, 2017
So is it arches you want for Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge this week? Or domes?
Here’s an image with plenty of both – from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The figures at bottom right give an idea of scale.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Ascend
Posted on December 13, 2017
This image shows the stairwell of the bell-tower of the restored Abbaye de La Reau, in central France.
Saint Cirq Lapopie (2)
Posted on November 2, 2017
This week, more doors from the lovely medieval village of Saint Cirq Lapopie, in the Lot region of southern France.
If it’s a village, it must have a church:
Another two-door image:
Arches are a common architectural theme…
…although not universal:
Finally, I had to include this one, for obvious reasons:
Thursday Doors 2 November 2017
The Tower
Posted on October 27, 2017
From ground level, the stonework of the tower of this church at Chabanais looks particularly imposing:
The Nave
Posted on October 13, 2017
Cee’s theme this week is ‘Internal Walkways’. I hope that the aisle of a church counts – in this case, that of St Mary’s in Beverley, Yorkshire.
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