Challenge: Holy Places IV (ARCHIVAL) (Standard Editing*)
Collection: Portfolio
Date: Apr 7, 2023
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 500
Shutter: 1/30
Date Uploaded: May 31, 2023
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The west soffit contains images of Jesus' baptism and Ascension to heaven. The transept mosaic, rendered in flaming colors of red, violet, and blue, pictures the occasion of the Holy Spirit's descent on the apostles, inspiring them to go forth and preach the Word of God. The fourteen stations of the cross are mounted on the plain lower walls of the east and west transepts above the confessionals. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a stunning example of religious architecture and art in the heart of Missouri. The cathedral, completed in 1914, is the mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the seat of its archbishop. It is also a minor basilica, a title Pope John Paul II granted in 1997, in recognition of its historical and spiritual significance.
The cathedral's exterior is impressive, with its granite walls, twin spires, and three domes. The design blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles, inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Church of St. Mark in Venice. The cathedral can accommodate up to 5,000 people and has a length of 365 feet and a width of 204 feet. The central dome rises to a height of 227 feet, while the inner dome has a diameter of 80 feet.
But the cathedral's beauty lies within, where visitors can marvel at the most extensive mosaic collection in the Western Hemisphere. The mosaics cover 83,000 square feet of the interior walls and ceilings and depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the lives of the saints, and the history of the Church. The mosaics were created by 20 different artists over 75 years, from 1912 to 1988. They contain more than 41 million glass tesserae, in over 7,000 colors.
The cathedral also boasts a rich collection of stained glass windows, sculptures, altars, chapels, and crypts. The stained glass windows on the balcony level were designed by Robert Frei of St. Louis, and feature geometric patterns and symbols. The main altar, designed by George D. Barnett, is made of marble and bronze and features a baldachino with four columns. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel, also designed by Barnett, has a marble altar with a tabernacle shaped like a miniature cathedral. The All Souls Chapel, designed by Rudolf Scheffler, has a mosaic depicting Christ as the judge of the souls. The crypts beneath the cathedral contain the remains of several archbishops and bishops of St. Louis.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a place of worship, a museum, and a treasure trove of art and history. It is open to visitors daily, except during Mass and special events. Guided tours are available upon request, or visitors can explore the cathedral independently with a brochure or an audio guide. There is also a mosaic museum in the lower level, where visitors can learn more about the process and techniques of creating mosaics.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a must-see attraction for anyone who appreciates beauty, spirituality, and culture. It is a testament to the faith and devotion of generations of Catholics in St. Louis, and a source of inspiration for all who enter its doors. |
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