Postcard from Portugal – Bom Jesus do Monte

Braga, Portugal’s third largest city, is 80 k north of Porto. Its most important monument is the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. We walked down the 650 steps but took the funicular up. Braga la troisième plus grande ville du Portugal se trouve à 80 kilomètres au nord de Porto. Son monument le plus …

Postcard from Porto – Capela das Almas

This was the first azulejos fresco we saw in Porto, in the street we are staying in, Fernandes Tomas. Called Capela das Almas the chapel dates from the 18th century and was restored and extended in 1801. In 1929 the outer façades were faced with tiles by Eduardo Leite, produced by Fabrica de Ceramica Viuva Lemego. …

Postcard #29 – Chagall in Metz Cathedral

Right at the top of the triforium, Chagall’s stained glass windows in Metz Cathedral are less visible than in Reims, but still as easy to recogise. Incrusted with saphirs, topaze, rubies, emeralds and amethysts, they were mounted between 1958 and 1968. Last stop before home. Montés tout en haut du triforium, les vitraux de Chagall …

Postcard #23 – Churches of Peace in Swidnica and Jawor

I did not post a photo yesterday because my server was down which was frustrating because we visited one of the most extraordinary churches I have ever seen – not the outside, which was not particularly impressive, but the inside. Unfortunately, there is a lot of lighting which does not make it easy to take photos; …

Postcard #16 – Wooden Churches around Zamosc

We came across this wooden church by accident today and have no information about it. However, the second one in Tomaszowie Lubelskim had a sign in English. Built in 1627, it is considered to be one of the most important wooden baroque churches. It was refurbished in 1727 and rebuilt after both world wars. You …