Category Archives: Religion

Santo art

A santo (English: ‘saint’) is a piece of one of various religious art forms found in Spain and areas that were colonies of the Kingdom of Spain, consisting of wooden or ivory statues that depict various saints, angels, or Marian titles, or one of the personages of the Holy Trinity. A santero (female: santera) is a craftsperson who makes the image. Some santos which have gained greater public devotion among the faithful have also merited papal approval through canonical coronations. Santos remain a living tradition of religious iconography and folk art in Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and some other Caribbean islands, South and Central America, and the Southwestern United States, especially New Mexico. History and terminology Icons and other religious images were crucial for the conversions of indigenous peoples to Roman Catholic Church, which was itself an integral part of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. However, long distances,…

Yellow color in history and art

Yellow is the color between green and orange on the spectrum of visible light. It is evoked by light with a dominant wavelength of roughly 570–590 nm. It is a primary color in subtractive color systems, used in painting or color printing. In the RGB color model, used to create colors on television and computer screens, yellow is a secondary color made by combining red and green at equal intensity. Carotenoids give the characteristic yellow color to autumn leaves, corn, canaries, daffodils, and lemons, as well as egg yolks, buttercups, and bananas. They absorb light energy and protect plants from photodamage. Sunlight has a slight yellowish hue, due to the surface temperature of the sun. Because it was widely available, yellow ochre pigment was one of the first colors used in art; the Lascaux cave in France has a painting of a yellow horse 17,000 years old. Ochre and orpiment…

Red color in history and art

Red is the color at the end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and the CMYK color model, and is the complementary color of cyan. Reds range from the brilliant yellow-tinged scarlet and vermillion to bluish-red crimson, and vary in shade from the pale red pink to the dark red burgundy. The red sky at sunset results from Rayleigh scattering, while the red color of the Grand Canyon and other geological features is caused by hematite or red ochre, both forms of iron oxide. Iron oxide also gives the red color to the planet Mars. The red colour of blood comes from protein hemoglobin, while ripe strawberries, red apples and reddish autumn leaves are colored by anthocyanins. Red pigment made from ochre was one of…

Green color in history and art

Green is the color between blue and yellow on the visible spectrum. It is evoked by light which has a dominant wavelength of roughly 495–570 nm. In subtractive color systems, used in painting and color printing, it is created by a combination of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; in the RGB color model, used on television and computer screens, it is one of the additive primary colors, along with red and blue, which are mixed in different combinations to create all other colors. By far the largest contributor to green in nature is chlorophyll, the chemical by which plants photosynthesize and convert sunlight into chemical energy. Many creatures have adapted to their green environments by taking on a green hue themselves as camouflage. Several minerals have a green color, including the emerald, which is colored green by its chromium content. During post-classical and early modern Europe, green was…

Blue colour in history and art

Blue is one of the three primary colours of pigments in painting and traditional colour theory, as well as in the RGB colour model. It lies between violet and green on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when observing light with a dominant wavelength between approximately 450 and 495 nanometres. Most blues contain a slight mixture of other colors; azure contains some green, while ultramarine contains some violet. The clear daytime sky and the deep sea appear blue because of an optical effect known as Rayleigh scattering. An optical effect called Tyndall scattering explains blue eyes. Distant objects appear more blue because of another optical effect called atmospheric perspective. Blue has been an important colour in art and decoration since ancient times. The semi-precious stone lapis lazuli was used in ancient Egypt for jewellery and ornament and later, in the Renaissance, to make the pigment ultramarine, the…

Heritage and Cultural Tourism in Armenia

The Armenian Culture Tour is a fascinating and surprising exploration of Armenia’s hidden treasures. The Armenia Cultural Tours give a chance to learn customs and traditions of this country, try Armenian cuisine, see the oldest churches and castles, and enjoy breathtaking spirit of Armenian nature. As the earliest Christian country, Armenia’s culture, including traditional folk customs and living habits, has long been recorded in books, manuscripts and poems and passed down from generation to generation. Combining stunning scenery, landforms, people, traditions, religion, spirituality, architecture, gastronomy, and more, Armenia’s Culture Tours are filled with endless possibilities that are yet to be discovered. Time seems to pass more slowly in this land, after thousands of years of baptism, many allusions recorded in manuscripts can still be found in the vast land of Armenia. Fascinated by new cultures, lifestyles and traditions, The tour is also suit for fans of religious roots, bread making…

Travel Guide of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain

Córdoba city, capital of Muslim Spain, is the main city in a territory located in the centre of Andalusia. Córdoba is known worldwide for its famous and breathtaking Mosque-Cathedral, Cordoba is a city rich in history, architecture and Spanish charm. It has a monumental historic center declared World Heritage and full of little streets where one would want to stay, patios full of flowers, pleasant squares and lively taverns where you can enjoy a good flamenco show or taste the typical gastronomy. A city having been the capital of a Roman province (Hispania Ulterior), also the capital of an Arab State (Al-Andalus) and a Caliphate. A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of the diverse cultures that have settled it throughout history. Córdoba also has much to offer in terms of art, culture and leisure, thanks…

Travel Guide of Avignon, France

Avignon is the capital of the French department of Vaucluse in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and is on the banks of the Rhône river. The ancient city of Avignon sits by the Rhône River, surrounded by a defensive wall fortified with towers and turrets. Within these ancient ramparts are galleries, museums, churches and one of the largest Gothic palaces in the world. Avignon was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000 and its historical centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Avignon is also known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is famous as the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century. In 1309, Pope Clement V relocated the Catholic papacy here away from the corruption and dangerous political infighting of Rome. Between 1309 and 1377, during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon and…

Guide of the Great Silk Road Tourism in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a the most populous country in Central Asia and is rich in history, culture, and diversity. The country of magnificent architecture and ancient traditions preserved a unique heritage,Uzbekistan is a mysterious country of the East, where the history of cities gathered in legends, where the sun shines all year round and this reflects the unique nature and beautiful hearts of people. Uzbekistan is attractive for its rich cultural and historical heritage, unique architecture and art. There are more than 7000 objects of cultural heritage in Uzbekistan, many of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical centers of Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Khiva. A trip to Uzbekistan is unforgettable experience with the ancient cities, attracting with its unique architecture, monuments of cultural heritage, old shops and artisan’s workshops. Uzbekistan has been a part of numerous empires and was once the main centre of the Silk Road,…

Winter Tourism of Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas

Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination for its famous and rich Christmas decorations. Every year, Christmas markets delight the hearts of visitors all over the world. Christmas traditions have been rooted in the customs of Alsatians since 16th century. For four centuries now, the emblematic Christmas market has been working its magic in the European Christmas capital. The city was in a fairytale atmosphere with over 300 wooden chalets, spread around different squares, everywhere there are fresh surprises waiting to be discovered. The Christmas market is the oldest in France, and one of the oldest in Europe. Strasbourg is, throughout the month of December, one of the most lights of Europe. A real fairy tale atmosphere, which enchants all visitors. The atmosphere that reigns in the city is unique. The streets are adorned with their most beautiful finery, the windows sparkle, the smells of cinnamon and spices evoke childhood memories,…

Dante tourism Guide, places in Italy which inspired the Divine Comedy

Dante Alighieri was most known by his Divine Comedy, which widely considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages. There is a common thread that runs through Italy and it bears Dante’s name: if Dante’s journey through the afterlife is also an amazing tour that covers Italian villages, art cities and landscapes. Dante’s presence and the mark left by his fame can also be seen in the art and culture of the following centuries. Most of Dante’s literary work was composed after his exile in 1301, during which the great poet traveled all over Italy. Dante’s writing was clearly inspired by his extensive travels, Since then he lived in Forlì, Bologna, Padua, Treviso, Lunigiana, Verona and finally Ravenna, dying without ever having seen Florence again. La Vita Nuova (“The New Life”) is the only major work that predates it; it is a collection of lyric poems (sonnets…

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy

Duomo di Firenze, formally the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the main Florentine church, symbol of the city and one of the most famous in Italy. The cathedral complex, in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile. These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence and are a major tourist attraction of Tuscany. Florence’s cathedral stands tall over the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, with the baptistery right across. The cathedral named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore is a vast Gothic structure built on the site of the 7th century church of Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt. Florence Cathedral was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to a design of Arnolfo di Cambio and was structurally completed by 1436, with the…

Guide Tour of Tour Saint-Jacques, Paris, France

The Saint James’s Tower is a monument located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France, at the intersection of Rue de Rivoli with Rue Nicolas Flamel. This 52-metre (171 ft) Flamboyant Gothic tower is all that remains of the former 16th-century Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie (“Saint James of the butchers”), which was demolished in 1797, during the French Revolution, leaving only the tower, the tower as the bell tower of the church was built between 1509 and 1523. The Tour Saint-Jacques stands alone in the middle of a little garden of the same name. The church, itself constructed from the 12th century, was an important pilgrimage site in Paris for Catholics, and a stop on the famous Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrimage route which leads south through France into Spain. This sanctuary was the meeting point on the Via Toronensis (or Tours route) of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle). Numerous legends have…

Notre-Dame de Paris, France

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and France. The cathedral is linked to many episodes in the history of France. Built in the 12th century,, its construction spanned approximately two centuries. modified in the 18th century then restored in the 19th century, it has been the symbol of Christian worship in Paris over the centuries. The construction of the Cathedral began in the middle of the 12th century and was spread over two hundred years. It is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in France. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Several of its attributes set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style, particularly its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration. Notre-Dame de Paris…

Art and Treasury of Notre-Dame de Paris, France

Since its construction Notre-Dame has received often sumptuous donations. Sovereigns and nobles thus demonstrated their attachment to the Church and their patronage. It is most often in the form of donations that the objects entered the Treasury. Under the Ancien Régime, all the kings and many of their family members made some presents to Notre-Dame. Until the 19th century, sovereigns placed orders with renowned craftsmen on the occasion of a happy event of their reign. Throughout its history, donors, wealthy families, brotherhoods have offered cult objects to Notre-Dame: relics of saints, monstrances, lecterns, tapestries… Artists and craftsmen, among the most famous of their time, contribute to the enrichment of this collection. The know-how, the materials used (gold, precious stones, silk) make these objects true works of art. Until the Revolution, the Treasury was considered as a possible reserve of money for times of crisis: epidemics, famines, foreign wars and civil…

Architecture and Decoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, France

The construction of the Cathedral began in the middle of the 12th century and was spread over two hundred years. It is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in France. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Several of its attributes set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style, particularly its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration. Notre-Dame de Paris is the largest religious building built in Europe in the 12th century. Covering an area of 6000 m2, it is 69 meters high. It testifies to a real technological prowess achieved by the architects of the Middle Ages. Like most French cathedrals, Notre-Dame de Paris draws a plan in the shape of a Latin cross. Its main facade is oriented west-north-west, its…

History of Notre-Dame de Paris, France

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and France. The cathedral is linked to many episodes in the history of France. Built in the 12th century,, its construction spanned approximately two centuries. modified in the 18th century then restored in the 19th century, it has been the symbol of Christian worship in Paris over the centuries. The history of the Cathedral is closely linked to the History of France, in the 4th century, with the advent of Clovis, Paris became the Christian capital of the Frankish kingdom. It was then that a first Saint-Etienne cathedral was built in the 6th century. The rise of the city began in the 12th century after the Norman invasions. Four popes stayed there during the century. The city prospers, it is a place of artistic and intellectual exchanges, equipped with colleges and a university of philosophy and theology.…

Reconstruction progress of Notre-Dame de Paris 2019-2022

The Notre-Dame de Paris spire fell on April 15, 2019, after a fire destroyed the centuries-old landmark. On the night of the fire, Macron said that the cathedral would be rebuilt, and launched an international fundraising campaign. The goal, according to French president Emmanuel Macron, is to have the church repaired before the city hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics, which is slated to begin on July 26, 2024. It’s been three years since a fire ripped through Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. Now that the 12th-century monument is secured, reconstruction efforts are underway. The current status of the restoration is posted regularly by the organisation the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and France. It is located on the Ile de la Cité and is a Catholic place of worship, seat of…

Guide Tour of Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Paris, France

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, located at the top of the Montmartre hill, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris, France, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sacré-Cœur Basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It is a popular landmark, and the second-most visited monument in Paris. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre is a major Parisian religious building, “sanctuary of adoration Eucharistic and Divine Mercy” and property of the Archdiocese of Paris. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is considered as both a political and cultural monument, representing a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and for the actions of the Paris Commune of 1871. Sacré-Cœur Basilica was built in a neighborhood which witnessed significant events by the Paris Commune of 1871. Sacré-Cœur…

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, United States

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California, United States. It opened in 2002 and serves as the mother church for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The cathedral is named in honor of the Virgin Mary under the patronal title of “Our Lady of the Angels”, echoing the full name of the original settlement of Los Angeles. The cathedral is widely known for enshrining the relics of Saint Vibiana and tilma piece of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Standing in the midst of downtown Los Angeles, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels serves the total Archdiocese of over 4 million Catholics. As the heart of all 288, Parish Churches and communities, it is the place where the Archbishop celebrates the major Liturgies of the year with clergy, religious and laity. The Cathedral serves as a model Church…

Travel Guide of Venice Religious architectures tourism, Italy

The historical and architectural beauties of Venice are truly numerous. Between palaces and religious structures, the city really offers many solutions to be explored. Among the most important monuments in the same area there is the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, the synagogues of the Ghetto, the Arsenale and the basilica of Santa Maria gloriosa dei Frari. Among the most famous religious buildings, there is also the basilica of Saints John and Paul, the church of Santa Maria dei miracoli and more. There are countless churches worthy of note that can be found in the lagoon city, both for their architectural merits and for the artistic treasures contained therein. Among the most important are the octagonal Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, with its imposing dome that stands out at the entrance of the Grand Canal and the famous and majestic Basilica of San Marco, the city’s cathedral and…

Venice Feast of the Redeemer 2019, Italy

The Festa del Redentore, the most famous traditional festival in Venice, celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic of 1575-1577. The fireworks display of the 2019 edition will be a hymn to the moon, to the sky, to space and to the great aspirations of man. On July 20, 2019, the day of the show, the 50th anniversary of the moon landing falls, and for this reason the theme chosen for this year’s show is ” Dreaming of the Moon “. The main events of the Festa del Redentore 2019 still take place along the historical itineraries of this ancient feast. Fireworks play an important role on the Feast of the Redeemer. The Festa del Redentore is one of the festivities most felt by Venetians, in which the religious and the spectacular coexist, thanks to the fireworks that, on Saturday…

Venice Feast of the Redeemer 2021, Italy

The Festa del Redentore, the most famous traditional festival in Venice, celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic of 1575-1577. The Feast of the Redeemer is the event that commemorates the grace received by the city to end the plague and, at the behest of the doge at the time it was requested, the promise was made that every year, on the day in which the city was declared free from the scourge, a procession would be held to the new votive church. The year 2021 in particular, the Festa del Redentore is part of the celebrations of Venice 1600, thus becoming a heartfelt moment of participation for both the city and its guests. The main events of the Festa del Redentore 2021 still take place along the historical itineraries of this ancient feast. Fireworks play an important role on…

Venice Feast of the Redeemer 2020, Italy

The Festa del Redentore, the most famous traditional festival in Venice, celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic of 1575-1577. The Feast of the Redeemer is the event that commemorates the grace received by the city to end the plague and, at the behest of the doge at the time it was requested, the promise was made that every year, on the day in which the city was declared free from the scourge, a procession would be held to the new votive church. The main events of the Festa del Redentore 2020 still take place along the historical itineraries of this ancient feast. Fireworks play an important role on the Feast of the Redeemer. However, due to the special circumstances in 2020, the municipal government of Venice finally decided to cancel the fireworks show. The party was full of by…