Rhône-Alpes – Charme médiéval

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The Rhône-Alpes region of France, is home to a beautiful array of medieval towns and villages truly amazing to behold. Archaic cobblestone streets, buildings, ramparts and magnificent arched gateways manifest the splendour of the medieval period. One is literally plunged back into the history books and tales of one’s childhood, as one experiences the picturesque and beautifully maintained French towns of the medieval era. Pérouges with its rich history, culture and architecture is the medieval French town par excellence. Walking down the winding cobblestone streets, decorated with a mosaic of worn stones, defiant despite enduring the elements, hammer of horseshoes and trampling of feet through the ages, one can only imagine what medieval life could have been like. One envisages romantic notions of noble knights jousting for the affection of fair maidens while the sound of minstrels, laughter and trumpets creates a carnival like atmosphere.

France, Rhône-Alpes, Landscape Photography

Rhône-Alpes – Élégance de la Renaissance

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Vieux Lyon reflects one of most beautiful periods of European history and French culture, the Renaissance, a European, Christian spiritual movement originating in Florence, Italy and inspired by the intellectual, artistic and spiritual expression of Byzantine Greek scholars fleeing the fall of Constantinople, capital of the Roman Empire. Standing over Classical Roman edifices from the vantage point of Fourviére Hill, Vieux Lyon represents one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture. Winding cobble stone streets, secret lane ways, passageways that suddenly open up into archaic and beautifully adorned courtyards and intricate, vibrantly coloured facades all create an aura of a bygone era that I found myself yearning deeply, for its sheer elegance, sophisticated simplicity, cultural vitality and artistic beauty.

France, Rhône-Alpes, Landscape Photography

Easter, Holy Week – “Christ Has Risen, Truly He Has Risen”

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Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Holy Week, marking the end of the Lenten Easter period with solemn, beautiful and profound services commemorating the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The sacramental and ascetic spiritual life incorporating fasting, prayer, scriptural reading, almsgiving, confession, communion and inner reflection manifesting a spirit of repentance, forgiveness and mercy during this period represents a celebration of ones love for Christ. Thus, these are undertaken with a spirit of humility and love, as one reflects on the life and teachings of Christ, leading to inner transformation of the mind, heart and soul or “Sanctification”. The Christian attempts to become by grace what Christ is in essence, “Love” and manifest the fruits of The Holy Spirit in their life: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Such inner transformation represents an outpouring of love and yearning for the mind, heart and soul to be transformed by the love of Christ through the grace of The Holy Spirit.

One truly experiences a myriad of emotions from joyful anticipation to sadness, tears and finally triumphant joy as one participates in Christ’s Passion from Palm Sunday marking the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, betrayal by Judas, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. The liturgical celebration filled with a multitude of scriptural passages from the Old and New Testament, intermingled with the sweet scent of frankincense, warm glow of candle light and beautiful chanting of hymns, especially the “Lamentations” moves ones heart and soul transporting one back centuries to early Christendom. I found myself contemplating the words uttered by Prince Vladimir of Kiev’s envoys, after they had visited Constantinople, capital of the Roman Empire in 988 AD and experienced the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church, celebrated from the time of the Apostles…

“We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendour or beauty anywhere upon earth. We cannot describe it to you, only this we know, that God dwells there among humans, and that their service surpasses the worship of all other places. For we cannot forget that beauty”.

Finally, in triumphant joy the congregation sing an ancient hymn heralding Christ’s Resurrection and proclaim “Christ Has Risen, Truly He Has Risen” while exchanging the kiss of peace. Afterwards, everyone gathers to break the fast and participate in a feast of joyous celebration marking the Resurrection of Christ. I was tired and exhausted yet full of joy at experiencing Easter, an event most dear to my heart and soul yet again.

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

John 3:16 (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 4:13-14 (KJV)

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 11:25-26 (KJV)

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Rhône-Alpes – Charme de la Renaissance

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Vieux Lyon, the oldest and largest Renaissance era district of Lyon, is located at the foot of Fourvière hill, and is one of Europe’s most extensive Renaissance neighborhoods. Graced by beautifully preserved buildings adorned with statues, intricate artifacts, cobblestone winding streets and narrow traboules, (connecting passageways between streets), Vieux Lyon is undoubtedly Lyon’s most beautiful and charming attraction, and an outstanding icon of French history and culture. Strategically located between Italy and France, and blessed with a thriving cultural and economic life, Vieux Lyon attracted a diverse range of artisans and artists from architects, silk merchants, playwrights and actors, to puppeteers and banker-merchants in the Middle ages and Renaissance eras. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright and actor, considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature, literature, wrote and n 1654, Molière presented his first play, “L’Etourdi”, in rue du Boeuf in Vieux Lyon.

France, Rhône-Alpes, Landscape Photography

Baden-Württemberg – “Of Cafes, Cyclists and Bächle”

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Freiburg is a bustling laid back cosmopolitan university city, located at the footsteps of the Black Forest bordering France and Switzerland. Known as the “Jewel of the Black Forest”, for its picturesque settings in this wine rich region of Germany, Freiburg is also a city of cafes, trade shops and street vendors selling everything from tulips to German sausages, much to my delight on a cold winters day. Walking through beautiful cobblestoned streets, one experiences amazing Romanesque and Gothic architecture reminiscent of Medieval Germany. Münster Cathedral, Freiburg’s famous icon, is one of Europe’s oldest and beautiful examples of Classical Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Walking through the streets of Freiburg while attempting to dodge the many cyclists, one notices the characteristic Bächle or small water canals spread throughout the inner city. Freiburg gives the impression of a Medieval city that can suddenly instantly transform itself into a cosmopolitan Bazaar, never ceasing to amaze and put a smile on ones face.

Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Landscape Photography

Bavaria – Serenity

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Kochelsee or Lake Kochel, a popular holiday destination among Germans  is located south of Munich at the edge of the Bavarian Alps. Surrounded by a ring of forested mountains, the tranquil lake may be observed from the numerous hiking trails throughout the beautiful countryside around its shores. I was quite impressed by the surroundings of this beautiful lake. The snow capped forested Bavarian Alps provided a wonderful backdrop, yielding to the expanse of the clear blue heaven and narrow sand shores below at the edge of the lake. The clear, blue water, occasionally punctuated by gentle ripples sending out waves across the otherwise calm surface, reminded me of the Mediterranean Sea. The numerous piers, moored with brilliant coloured green fishing boats contrasted brilliantly against the blue water and snow covered shores during this warm and sunny day in spring. I paused for long moments in silence, words are inadequate to describe the serenity that filled my mind, heart and soul.

Germany, Bavaria, Landscape Photography

Bavaria – Medieval Charm

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Travelling along the Bavarian countryside near the Austrian border one is amazed at the magnificence of the Alps, one of the great mountain ranges of Europe, stretching thousands of kilometres across a multitude of nations. Inspired by the beauty and sheer majesty of this natural wonder, the 18th and 19th century inspired a European artistic, literary and intellectual movement known as “Romanticism”. As part of Germany’s Romantic Road, Füssen still retains much of its medieval character. “The Romantic Road” meanders through beautiful countryside, passing through medieval towns and picturesque villages. Within Füssen, one discovers gothic cathedrals, half-timbered fachwerk houses, beautiful historic hotels and often a medieval festival manifesting the charm of traditional German culture, a hallmark of the once great “Holy Roman Empire”. Magnificent castles like Neuschwanstein and Hohenscwangau, standing magnificently at the footsteps of the European Alps complete a scenery that can only be described as extraordinary.

Germany, Bavaria, Landscape Photography