Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sunday Church Series - Basilica Saint Denis


Located about 5.8 miles north of Paris, the Basilica Saint Denis is noted for it's Gothic architecture and as the final resting place for most of France's kings, queens and their families from the 10-18th centuries.  As we entered the church that afternoon I stopped in awe as the sun streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows created the most amazing rainbow of colors on the walls.

Our friend Owen and his delightful wife Anne joined us that day.  He has a marvelous post with such wonderful images today at his Magic Lantern Show blog. Please drop over and see them.

24 comments:

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Wonderful angle and light-shadow !

Katalin said...

oh how wonderful!!!

Cezar and Léia said...

The coloured lights projected onto the wall look great! Clever shot!
God bless you!
Cezar

Malyss said...

No wonder people from middle-age believed in miracles! Imagine them seeing that!

Leif Hagen said...

A beautiful capture of the kaleidoscope of colors and shapes in your windows, V de B! Bravo!

Cheryl said...

What a difference between these spaces of the spirit and today's more corporate ecclesiastical structures. Amazingly wonderful!!!!

Thanks.

helen tilston said...

What an appropriate image for a Sunday morning. I can imagine the mass sung in latin.
Your commenter Cheryl sums up the new fad of church building in America, which sadly is as she so succinctly says "corporate ecclesiastical structures"
Helen x

Virginia said...

helen and Cheryl,
I have to agree but I'm fortunate that my church here in B'ham is a beautiful structure with glorious windows as well. Saint Denis, however is in a class all its own as you can see.

Janey and Co. said...

That scene would stop me in my tracks too!

Karena said...

Virginia, These masterpieces of art and design always take my breath away. One of my favorite books is still "The Pillars of the Earth"

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Outside Looking In said...

Beautiful! A rainbow inside the church....amazing. I think I'm going to love this series since I am totally in love with old churches.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

You and Genie were as one today Virginia, very beautiful stained glass window reflections, kaleidoscope image.

Owen said...

It was a truly beautiful day, with the sun streaming in at such a low angle... fortunately it was warmer that day than it has been here for the past couple of weeks... minus 10°C has been frequent in the mornings...

I just put up some more photos from our afternoon there; for your pleasure...

Virginia said...

Owen, I just added a link to your wonderful blog post today. It was fun hanging over your shoulder and watching you shoot St. Denis. Merci mon ami.
V

TheChieftess said...

Absolutely lovely Virginia!!!

Owen said...

Mille fois merci... :-)

AL said...

I have a great love of medieval churches and am always in total awe of the structures from hundreds of years ago, and the fact that they still stand as a true testament to their skills. These windows are stunning and you were in the right place at the right time V. Beautiful.

Harriet said...

This photo is a real show stopper. I can only imagine the glorious feeling of being there and experiencing this - lucky you! And lucky us that you are such a great photographer.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Loved this light and all of St Denis... Among the 4 serious shooters, there were several thousand "clicks"

This shot is gorgeous, V!

fabrizio said...

awesome resul in light, in not easy condition, wonderful vertical depth

Mary said...

Breathtaking! So much beauty and history there! Must see it someday. Grand, gorgeous. Difficult to find enough words to describe such amazing beauty.. :)

Joe said...

Bravo Virginia. Remarkable photography.

Elizabeth said...

Stunningly perfect, Virginia. A new favorite. I love the colors reflected on the stone!

Unknown said...

Amazing reflections in the stone. Gorgeous, V.