Ranks photos on Flickr

Church of the Nativity of Christ by Lyudmila Izmaylova

2K 523

The Church of the Nativity of Christ in the refectory chambers of the New Jerusalem Monastery was built simultaneously with the three vast chambers themselves in 1686-1692. By order of Princess Tatyana Mikhailovna, who donated money for the construction, each of the three chambers of the refectory served its purpose. Thus, the middle "meal", connected to the Nativity Church, was intended for all pilgrims who arrived at the monastery, the second - for the brethren's meals, and the third, apparently, more ceremonial, "a living room for worldly food of all ranks to people."

The Christmas refectory church was made two-story, with the second floor communicating with the chambers. Its architecture is typical of the late 17th century - in the Moscow Baroque style. The lower floor - the "warm" church - was originally surrounded by an open porch, which in the 18th century was replaced by an arcade that has survived to this day, decorated with classic rustic woodwork and pilasters.

The upper, "summer" church is in two tiers of windows, covered with a closed vault, on which there are two octagonal with a dome. The entire decor of the temple: architraves, columns on the apse, octagons under the cupola, are made in the Moscow Baroque style. Not only the church is decorated in the same way, but all the refectory chambers.

In 1792, a hundred years after its construction, the refectory chambers were badly damaged by a fire in the monastery kitchen. All the chambers were burnt out, and the church utensils were barely saved, while much was still damaged by fire. After renovation, in 1810, a wooden ceiling was made in the upper part of the Nativity Church, supported by two brick pillars. This greatly reduced the space of the large baroque temple and made it much darker. Therefore, already in the 1850s. this "innovation" was removed and the restoration was carried out under the direction of the architect K.A. Ton.

The luxurious tyablo iconostasis of the Nativity Church was burned down in 1922. Museum expositions were housed in the premises of the temple. During the colossal destruction of the monastery by the Nazis in 1941. The Nativity Church was almost not damaged, and during the restoration the original appearance of the interior of the church and the refectory chambers was restored.

In 1995, the Church of the Nativity of Christ was transferred to the newly formed monastic brethren; in 1996, restoration work began there, and in 1997 the church was re-consecrated.

Now the temple is a very interesting picture - it is practically side by side adjacent to the museum remaining in the refectory chambers, and the visitor may well seem at first to be an exhibition hall as well. Only by looking more attentively, one can notice that there is no longer museum life going on here.

Closing Ranks ! by david t ruddock

137 47

Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin - 2 by Henny Vogelaar

187 88

The Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin (ICC Berlin) ranks among the biggest congress venues in the world. It was built in just four years under the architects Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte. Since its opening the highly versatile communication complex - 320 metres long, 80 metres wide and 40 metres high, - ICC Berlin is one of the most outstanding landmarks of postwar German architecture.

The complex consists of spacious lobbies (5,500 m2) and 80 halls.

A three-storey walkway provides a direct link between ICC Berlin and the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

The building is contaminated by asbestos, renovation has to be done and it's future is until now undecided.

massed ranks...Chelsea Flower Show 2019 by India Bea

242 42

Alliums

Mandarin Duck by Southern Cal. guy

179 102

he Mandarin Duck ranks as an extraordinarily beautiful, not to mention colorful, variety of duck. This unique animal now lists as Threatened in its endemic range. The primary reason for this remains habitat loss, due to the destruction of native forests. However, and in this instance thankfully, mankind introduced it to many other portions of the world.

When I am dead I won't join their ranks 'cause they are both holy and free by Remy / the neat jinx.

140 11

Featuring |

Animosity : 168 Pose Pack for TMD Weekend Sale (75L all weekend!)

Vendetta Skins: Remi Skin @ Man Cave

Cubura : Kirk Top @ eBento [NOTE: Save an extra 10% on Cubura items (Events & Mainstore) with the promo code REMY (see here for instructions).]

Short Leash : Chained Septum Ring @ Tokyo Zero

Full credits here.

High Hoods at SOB Canyon by Henry Dell

162 26

Arizona Central Railroad's trio of first generation Geeps round the curve across SOB Canyon as they approach Clarkdale, AZ, with a string of loaded coal cars for the Salt River Materials Group. I never felt adventurous enough to scope out many of the spots along the line that required more hiking on my previous trips, but with several days at my disposal and the company of my brother we both decided to make the trip count. This hike, like many of the others, required wading through the knee-deep Verde River and the usual scaling of cliffs. A sparsely used hiking trail actually runs underneath the trestle I think, or at least someone was kind enough to fix a rope to the drop-off underneath to make climbing it possible. This shot ranks among my favorites of the trip; I just don't think there's an active freight railroad with high hood GP9s/7s (with no ditch lights!) quite as scenic left anywhere else. Clarkdale, AZ

"Just Another Foggy Old Building Image/song" by IN2UT

213 60

I guess I did unconsciously make the building appear and feel ominious as gentrification creeps like a miasma. The city is going all in in the name of "economic development" to provide office space and MORE retail space for high end stores that pay shitty wages. Meanwhile as the 64th largest it has a horrible bus system that only operates 5.5 days a week and stops running at 8pm. Poor people can't rely on any mass transit to get to work. To add insult to injury this 500 million boondoggle (there is a lot of empty existing real estate near downtown) expands gentrification further into my soon to be ex apartment. Rental rates in the hood are skyrocketing (the million or two square foot facility is not to open for another 1.5 years) in what was the last area that had semi-affordable housing. This is in a city that ranks 12th in housing costs in the country based on income/rent ratio.

Kunstmuseum-Den Haag -1 by Henny Vogelaar

97 69

One of the Kunstmuseum’s most prized exhibits is the magnificent Art Deco building itself. Designed by architect H.P. Berlage, it is striking not only for its distinctive yellow brickwork, but also for its spacious interior, natural light and modern colour scheme. Berlage himself believed this would be his greatest ever work. It was also his last, however, and he never saw his masterpiece completed, as he died a year before the building was finished. Eighty years later, we can say that Berlage certainly fulfilled his promise. The building is still highly popular with visitors, artists and architects, and ranks among the most beautiful and most modern museum buildings in Europe.

info: www.kunstmuseum.nl/en/museum/about-us/museum-building

Matarea 2 by Peterson's Pixel Painting

257 5

The beach of Basilicata Maratea, the only commune on the Tyrrhenian coast and is one of the few places in the region for a beach vacation, with a population of just under 5500 its ranks swell considerably when the warm weather moves people to a costal cool down. Pictured here is the view of sunset from the road leading to the statue of Jesus on top of the mountain just like the one in Rio de Janeiro Brazil except on a little less grand scale and quite conveniently located near our wonderful accommodations La Locanda Delle Donne Monache.

People have always loved the wonderful setting of Maratea with its rocky coastal views, back stop of mountains, hillside forests and over 20 beaches in the commune it has much to offer so has been inhabited since the 15th century BC. The Romans took over in the 2nd century BC and then the Byzantines after the fall until the 7th century when this area and the sea came under Saracen control, apparently they were not great neighbors so the coastal population moved into the hills establishing a fortified town that became modern Maratea soon after their takeover.

The Normans conquered southern Italy in the 11th century and Maratea was buffeted by the winds of change throughout the millennia from factions vying for control of the south until the 18th century dawned and with it the golden years for the town coinciding also with the golden period for construction when most of the 44 churches were built. Maratea’s fortunes were soon to turn though when Napoleon declared himself King of the South and the town refused French rule putting it on the hitlist for the French to pacify.

I took this on Sept 29, 2018 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 Lens at 85mm 1/20s f`11 ISO 100 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO

Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress

Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin by Henny Vogelaar

128 22

The Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin (ICC Berlin) ranks among the biggest congress venues in the world. It was built in just four years under the architects Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte. Since its opening the highly versatile communication complex - 320 metres long, 80 metres wide and 40 metres high, - ICC Berlin is one of the most outstanding landmarks of postwar German architecture.

The complex consists of spacious lobbies (5,500 m2) and 80 halls.

A three-storey walkway provides a direct link between ICC Berlin and the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

The building is contaminated by asbestos, renovation has to be done and it's future is until now undecided.

Paris France ~ Notre-Dame Cathedral ~ Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris by Bill Badzo

166 100

Tourism in Paris is a major income source for Paris and the city ranks in the world's most visited cities. In 2013, the City of Paris welcomed 15.6 million international visitors, the largest number of whom came from the United States.The Paris Region received 32.3 million visitors in 2013, putting it just ahead of London as the world's top tourist destination region, measured by hotel occupancy. In the Paris region, the largest numbers of foreign tourists came in order from Britain, the United States, Germany, Italy and China

In 2012, 263,212 salaried workers in the city of Paris, or 18.4 percent of the total number, were engaged in tourism-related sectors; hotels, catering, transport and leisure.In 2014 visitors to Paris spent 17 billion dollars (13.58 billion Euros), the third highest sum globally after London and New York.

The Notre Dame cathedral is one of the famous scenic spots in France. It is located in Cité island in the Seine River, the old center of Paris. Both Cité island and St. Louis island are the oldest parts of Paris, with very early urban histories. Cité island once was the habitation of the French royal families between the 10th and 14th centuries.

284

Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano by Alan

349 16

It is the oldest and ranks first among the five Papal Basilicas of the world and the four Major Basilicas of Rome (all of which are also Papal basilicas), being the oldest church in the West and having the Cathedra of the Bishop of Rome. It has the title of ecumenical mother church among Roman Catholics. The current archpriest is Agostino Vallini, Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. The President of the French Republic, currently François Hollande, is ex officio the "first and only honorary canon" of the Archbasilica, a title held by the heads of state of France since King Henry IV.

The Archbasilica is located within the City of Rome but is outside the boundaries of Vatican City proper, which is located approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) to the northwest, in another part of Rome. While the Archbasilica and its adjoining buildings enjoy extraterritorial status as one of the properties of the Holy See pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929, the Archbasilica is within Italian territory and not that of the Vatican City State.

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 24-70mm /F2.8

Stonehenge by John Fleischman

107 4

Stonehenge in southern England ranks among the world's most iconic archaeological sites and one of its greatest enigmas. The monument's mysterious past has spawned countless tales and theories. According to folklore, Stonehenge was created by Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian legend, who magically transported the massive stones from Ireland, where giants had assembled them. No matter how Stonehenge was created, it’s an absolute delight to view and photograph!

Abyss Pool by Philip Kuntz

230 40

One of the many geothermal jewels in Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin. Abyss is the deepest pool known in Yellowstone and received its name for its abyss-like depth.

West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the smallest geyser basins in Yellowstone yet its location along the shore of Yellow-stone Lake ranks it as the most scenic.

One of the deeper hot springs in the park, Abyss Pool descends to 53 feet (16 meters). It varies from turquoise blue to emerald green to various shades of brown.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

In ranks by Gelein Jansen

65 33

Shadow lines by cold sunrise

CATTLE EGRET by Tony Cox

78 63

Taken Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country's 20 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. I spent four consecutive days within the park which provided an amazing variety of wildlife.

ANT EATING CHAT by Tony Cox

71 55

Taken Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country's 20 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. I spent four consecutive days within the park which provided an amazing variety of wildlife.

sunset steel making by IN2UT

263 89

Indiana ranks just about last in environmental regulation and air and water quality and dead last in infant mortality and voter participation and labor laws and unions and meth and not teaching evolution or global warming etc.. and has been run by Republicans since god. The county prosecutor will not entertain the idea of spousal rape and won't charge anyone. She referred to domestic abuse as Hillbilly foreplay in public.

the former grand dragon of the KKK used to live about 5 miles from this plant. It is a colorful place

Breaking Ranks by Exal Grut

53 8

Always the crazy one (it's never good to piss off the Ravens), and under the guise of "training" or "keeping you on your toes", Ryker Salix unexpectedly plows through the Raven's formation.

Taken in DewXon city

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DewXon/147/190/55

SONG THRUSH // TURDUS PHILOMELOS (23cm) by tom webzell

95 79

DAINTY and well-marked thrush, and ranks as a favorite among many birders. Its BEAUTIFUL AND DISTINCTIVE SONG, contributes in no small way to its appeal. The sexes are similar, I cannot tell them apart ! Found in a wide variety of habitats, and sad to say along with the mistle thrush, is still in serious decline.

=======================

THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments, it is always appreciated, your my extended family, so hope your fit and well, and enjoying the weekend, stay safe, God bless you deeply !..

..................Tomx

======================

"Ask JESUS into your life today, you will never regret it !"

Ghostly tables at the cathedral by flindersan

59 16

The Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool was preparing for a special event, probably a wedding, these tables caught my eye.

The Anglican cathedral of Liverpool is the longest cathedral in the world, and In terms of overall volume, it ranks as the fifth-largest cathedral in the world

Let's close ranks !!! by Gérard / Pifou 2010

109 92

Figurines in a shopwindow with reflections of the street.

Shot rue du Bourg Tibourg - 75004 Paris - France -

Reverse shot of this previous posted image : flic.kr/p/r6o8KL

Nomad part 7: Her by Ivoceno Rossini

295 66

Today

After the events at Templemore Cove, Ivo had to move on to the next city. He's hiding out in a motel room under a newly assumed name. Ivo has a whole new set of credentials. It pays to know people in the underground. You never know when government agencies need to remove an asset. You never know when it's your time to run.

Ivo sits on the bed as he empties his pockets. He opens his wallet an checks his license. We watch as ruffles through the passport. It reads, Edgardo Ruiz. "I could pass for an Edgardo," he shrugs. Ivo doesn't give it a second thought as he lays the passport on the dresser and lays down to bed. Hours later we see Ivo laying on the bed, his eyes closed and twitching as REM sleep begins.

Three Years ago

Ivo reaches for her elbow as she stands guard, pistol in hand, SMG at the ready.

"I got the portable wormhole," as he lifts the suitcase in his hand "let's get out of here before Carmine gets his wits about him," Ivo pulls her toward the cycle to the left of them.

"Where is he?" she asks.

"I clotheslined him off of his bike. He's over there by the strip club. I broke his thumb to get the cuffs he had connect to it off of him" he states proudly.

She looks at him puzzled, "it's a leather handle , couldn't you have just ripped the case from the handle?"

Bewildered he blushes and smiles , remembering where they are "let's go , let's go"

They jump on the one motorcycle. He steers while she sits behind then as they speed off. She wraps her arm around his waist. She smiles at him before resting her head on his shoulder, wind in her hair, she mouths , "I love you."

Ivo smirks knowingly, as if he felt her lips on his back as she said it.

Six Years Ago

A young male cadet walks on the campus grounds. Alone , looking for someone to guide him to the proper starting point. A small amount of sweat drips down his forehead, his heart racing slightly. He missed the row of stanchions and signs telling him where to go. He found an older male with a decorated uniform who directed him to the proper line.

In Kawaii City and in the rest of the country that they live in, minimum age to apply for the police exam at 16 and to serve is 17. The same for the military. He is anxious, he's shaking but he has never been more confident of what he wanted to do with his life. Confidence, naivete, same difference. Ivo was going to take on whatever came his way, as long as he was in law enforcement.

Confetti comes down from the sky onto the 35 graduating members of the KPD police academy. Ivo and young lady share laughter and hugs. She's a petite 4 foot 11 (about 125 cm), brown hair, slim build, as slim as you can tell in the police uniform. They look at each other as they laugh. They turn to the new officers on the other side of them and hug them as well.

The dream sequence moves through the years. They quickly move up the ranks. Side by side, partners on the job, eventually lovers off the job. Quite frankly, lovers on the job sometimes also. They apply for federal positions. We still don't know who they work for because of the sensitive nature of what they do. They do it together. He's Clyde to her Bonnie. She's Crocket to his Tubbs. Harry Tasker to her Helen Tasker. Rachel to his Ross.

He suddenly awakes, back in the current time. Ivo reaches out to the empty side of the bed. He blurts out ... "Cindy"

Link to the full story

"...escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." by Donna Cleveland

59 26

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

Marcus Aurelius

Marsh Harrier ( F ) - 1159 SVPX by martinpettinger

26 11

" Soaring over the Somerset Levels...

Only the Peregrine out ranks her in their command of the skies and those who live below"

Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse on Lake Huron Michigan by Tom Clark

58 4

The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse ranks among the ten oldest lighthouses in Michigan. It is an active lighthouse maintained by the US Coast Guard remotely, located in Lighthouse County Park on Lake Huron near Port Hope, Michigan in Huron County.

This fabulous photograph is available at my online store in a wide variety of products. This link will take you there.

2-tom-clark.pixels.com/featured/point-aux-barques-lightho...

www.tom-clark.net/lighthouses

218d 10 - TAC_0995 - lr-ps-wm - B&W

Paris France ~ Notre-Dame Cathedral ~ Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris by Bill Badzo

168 81

Tourism in Paris is a major income source for Paris and the city ranks in the world's most visited cities. In 2013, the City of Paris welcomed 15.6 million international visitors, the largest number of whom came from the United States.The Paris Region received 32.3 million visitors in 2013, putting it just ahead of London as the world's top tourist destination region, measured by hotel occupancy. In the Paris region, the largest numbers of foreign tourists came in order from Britain, the United States, Germany, Italy and China

In 2012, 263,212 salaried workers in the city of Paris, or 18.4 percent of the total number, were engaged in tourism-related sectors; hotels, catering, transport and leisure.In 2014 visitors to Paris spent 17 billion dollars (13.58 billion Euros), the third highest sum globally after London and New York.

The Notre Dame cathedral is one of the famous scenic spots in France. It is located in Cité island in the Seine River, the old center of Paris. Both Cité island and St. Louis island are the oldest parts of Paris, with very early urban histories. Cité island once was the habitation of the French royal families between the 10th and 14th centuries.

1113

Hare Krishnas by Donald Mosher

29 7

These guys have been around since I was a teenager though I suspect their memberships was at the highest during the seventies as many wayward hippies swelled their ranks. I even met this guy way back when who said he fell in with them because blew into town with not much more than the shirt off his back and had not eaten well in weeks after he almost gotten robbed at the big men's shelter downtown which I heard numerous bad stories about back in the days from a ton of people and stayed with them until he got caught up nutrition wise and talked to some people and made some contacts. Anyway Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is about the only place you can still see them on a regular basis that I know of.

The Green and Greys, On Parade and At Attention! by Paul Ellis

23 2

The massed ranks of the green and grey bins neatly lined up at the side of the Ossington Building, Great North Road, Newark. Although our binmen are good and reliable, they would not neatly arrange the bins like this so hats off to the person who did it!

Here in Newark we have three different coloured bins. A green one for general rubbish. A grey one for recyclable materials and for an extra fee, a brown one for compostable garden stuff.

The brown bin surcharge is worth it as you don’t then have to cart all your gardening rubbish to the Council Disposal place.

to the ranks! by k#OCZY#k

25 19

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Sue Roehl

47 118

Outside Zion National Park

Springdale

Utah

USA

Wrong place on map. Does anyone know how to change the location.

Surprisingly I’ve seen only one robin in Florida since I came here from Illinois. This American Robin was photographed near the lodge where I stayed just outside of Zion National Park, Utah. The robin had just finished eating a fresh worm out of the ground.

The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the Old World flycatcher family.

The American robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering from southern Canada to central Mexico and along the Pacific Coast.

According to some sources, the American robin ranks behind only the red-winged blackbird (and just ahead of the introduced European starling and the not-always-naturally-occurring house finch) as the most abundant extant land bird in North America. It has seven subspecies, but only T. m. confinis of Baja California Sur is particularly distinctive, with pale gray-brown underparts.

The American robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. Its diet consists of invertebrates (such as beetle grubs, earthworms, and caterpillars), fruits, and berries.

It is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. It is among the first birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of several discrete units that are repeated. Wikipedia

Breaking ranks! by Gary McHale

42 21

I just thought this image of Wood Storks on parade was quite amusing. The new recruit at the back had obviously not yet fully grasped the limits of the command "At ease"!

One from Nov 2016, taken at Celery Fields, Florida.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.

IST Building, Florida Polytechnic University, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland, Florida, USA / Architect: Santiago Calatrava / Contruction ended: 2014 by Urban Florida Photographer

528 95

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building in Lakeland now ranks as one of the 16 “most breathtaking” buildings in the world, according to a survey of architects, placing it alongside iconic structures such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Empire State Building and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” residence.

Business Insider’s “Tech Insider” magazine surveyed 16 prominent architects, asking each to pick just one structure they fondly think of as “breathtaking.” Architect Marica McKeel of Studio MM worked on the IST Building design and said, “Not only do I love the design of the Innovation, Science and Technology Building, but I feel a real connection to this project and to the Lakeland community as my father grew up in Lakeland and I still frequently visit family there.”

Designed by internationally-renowned architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava, the IST Building is the cornerstone of Florida Poly’s campus and the University’s main classroom and laboratory building. The 162,000-square-foot, white-domed building is a moveable and functional work of art, with a louvered roof system that adjusts with the sun’s angle, surrounded by a ring of curved metal pergolas that shade its outer terrace and walkways.

Calatrava repeatedly breaks new ground in architecture, with soaring designs for a new transit station at the rebuilt World Trade Center, a spiraling “Turning Torso” skyscraper in Sweden and the Peace Bridge in Calgary. Among the numerous awards associated with the IST Building is the distinguished Engineering News Record’s (ENR) Global Project of the Year award.

“The IST Building was created to provide an inspiring, modern atmosphere for learning, collaboration and innovation,” said Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. “It’s invigorating to walk into this building each day and work alongside faculty, students and staff in one of the world’s most advanced structures.”

The IST Building houses 26 classrooms, the Aula Magna auditorium, faculty and administrative offices, an 11,000-square-foot Commons area and 11 innovation labs – including a 3D printing lab, cyber security lab and heath informatics lab – where students are able to get hands-on experience with the latest technology. Skanska USA was the lead contractor.

Other top accolades earned by the IST Building include:

2014 Engineering News Record Global Best Project by Engineering News Record

Best Projects: 2014 Project of the Year – Southeast Region, Best Higher Education/Research by Engineering News Record

2014 Metal Construction News Design Award in Metal Building Systems

2014 Best Innovative Structural Steel Project of the Year by the American Institute of Steel Construction

2015 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) Award

2015 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture

Data above originated from the following website:

floridapolytechnic.org/news-item/florida-polys-ist-buildi...

Saint Marina's Orthodox Church in Plovdiv by cagu

44 1

St Marina Orthodox church - in center of Plovdiv St. Marina church is the known as the main metropolitan church in Plovdiv city. Not incidentally, it ranks among the must-see landmarks in Bulgaria’s second largest city.

St. Marina church is an impressive Renaissance three-nave pseudo-basilica with a pillar arcade. Having been built by stone material, it stuns the visitor with its striking design.

It is said that the holy temple was originally built in the middle of the 5th century as a token of honour to Apostle Paul. Unfortunate fate has met the sacred place and it was completely destroyed at the end of 6th century. One the followers of Apostle Paul, has laid the foundations of the Plovdiv Eparchy and Plovdiv Orthodox bishopric. It is believed that the church was built in the bottom of the Taksim tepe in 1853 on the ruins of the previously devastated church. Over the years the church dedicated to St.Martyr Marina has constantly become to a number of destructions after which it was reconstructed again.

Famous masters in wood-carving have created with exceptional skills a new 21-m-long wooden iconostasis. This precious element inside the temple depicts Biblical scenes, people with pigeons, crowns and scaring monsters. The exquisitely painted icons of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary, a great deed of the prominent Stanislav Dospevski, were situated on either sides of the iconostasis.

After another fierce invasion in 1851, St.Marina church was entirely destroyed. Since the Ottoman government has lifted some restrictions with respect to the construction of Orthodox churches, the erection of a new, more representative and well-laid temple has become a reality.

The construction process was led and carried out by talented craftsmen of the Brazigovo Building School. The construction of St.Marina church took about three years and eventually in 1856 the temple was officially inaugurated by Plovdiv bishop.The architecture of the nowadays church St.Marina is remarkable not only because of the 18 stone column, forming a round-arched narthex, but also the impressive Biblical scenes which were painted below it. The icons were pained by the famous iconographers such as Zahari Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski and Nikola Odrinchanin.

The dome of St.Marina church was covered with wall-paintings in 1866 by A. Gyudzhenov and Stoyan Andonov.

There is an impressive 5-storey, 17m tall belfry which rises above the entrance in the churchyard and one will not see it anywhere else in Bulgaria.

Divine service is conducted in the church every day accompanied by the brilliant singing of the church choir.

College Avenue Presbyterian Church by Skip Moore

40 2

"Sometime during the fall of 1916 or the winter of 1917 the congregation of what was then the First United Presbyterian Church of Oakland, decided on newer quarter for their expanding ranks. And so, under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. James F. Ross, then engaged architect Julia Morgan in January 1917 for the construction of a “one-room frame church” at the intersection of Harwood and College Avenues. The budget allotment for this was a frugal $10,000, a very modest sum even then for a community building."

- from the church website

Fisher Towers from Fisher Tower Trail 2 by Chuck Kime

25 4

Near Moab, Utah. This view is deeper within the Fisher Towers complex. Climbing is popular and difficult on Fisher Towers. On the far right is Titan Towers with the highest elevation gain. Ancient Art, the small, strange formation to the right of the first peak from the left edge, ranks very high in terms of difficulty.

Thank you very much for your views, faves and comments!

Massed Ranks by Ken Hircock

48 157

My 2008 mauve Crocus

Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse by Tom Clark

39 10

The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse ranks among the ten oldest lighthouses in Michigan. It is an active lighthouse maintained by the US Coast Guard remotely, located in Lighthouse County Park on Lake Huron near Port Hope, Michigan in Huron County.

This fabulous photograph is available at my online store in a wide variety of products. This link will take you there

2-tom-clark.pixels.com/products/pointe-aux-barques-7-tom-...

216d 11 - _DSC0103 - lr-ps - 16x20

Rainy Rexford by csxt8247

82 9

Wheeling’s 591 job creeps through Rexford Tunnel after having completed their run down to National Lime Stone. Getting trains on the Valley branch is quite difficult, I was fortunate enough to luck into this one after spotting loaded stone gons at Pittsburgh Junction. I have only seen one other shot of this tunnel, but it’s definitely up the ranks on cool Wheeling tunnels .

Haunted? by Li Feng

186 20

The Prince of Wales Hotel built between 1926 and 1927 in beautiful Wateron National Park, is one of Alberta and the Canadian Rockies’ most celebrated architectural landmarks. Considering the age and iconic stature of the building and its somewhat forbidding setting, atop a windswept hill overlooking Upper Waterton Lake, it is hardly surprising that the Prince of Wales Hotel has, over the decades, cultivated a few enduring ghost stories. Indeed the Prince of Wales ranks among most famous allegedly haunted locales in a province rich in ghost lore. When we visited Waterton, the hotel was closed for renovation. So we could not go in to check it out :))

Happy Halloween!

♥ Thank you very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments ♥

Saint Marina's Orthodox Church in Plovdiv by cagu

47 1