Autumnal Florence entices with pleasant temperatures for city tours and fewer tourists than in high season, even if “fewer” still meant a rather lively old town and large groups in front of and inside the sights. The reason for my trip to Tuscany was indeed the photo project with the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, but beyond that, there was so much more to see in the city.
The Maria Himmelfahrt Birkenstein pilgrimage church in Fischbachau, Upper Bavaria, is a true folk sanctuary. Located in the Leitzach Valley in the Mangfall Mountains at the foot of the Breitenstein, it is famous for its late medieval statue of the Virgin Mary, which has been venerated here as a miraculous image since 1673. Every year, numerous pilgrims come here from near and far. During my visit early on the morning of 1 May, I found two touching elderly ladies busy preparing the outdoor altar for the arrival of several walking pilgrimages. Read more
The churches of Santorini largely follow the typical forms of Orthodox churches: oriented to the east, with a cross-shaped nave and a dome, known as a cross-in-square church. It usually consists of a square room with columns or pillars in the centre, four barrel vaults arranged in the shape of a Greek cross, and a dome above in the middle. Nevertheless, an incomparable variety with individual colours and shapes has developed from these basic structures. Read more
As if the colours and forms of the churches in Santorini weren’t attractive enough, during my wanderings while staying in Oia, I found the Church of the Taxiarches adorned with colourful pennants. At first, however, I couldn’t discern any specific connection to a religious occasion. Read more
In front of Imerovigli, the highest village on the island of Santorini, Skaros Rock juts out on a narrow peninsula into the wide sweep of the caldera cliffs. As a result, it offers unique views back towards the rocky coastline with the villages of Fira, Firostefani and Oia high above the sea, as well as the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia.
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A dramatic sunrise over the iconic St. Spyridon Church with its blue domes in Oia ushered in another promising and eventful day of travel on Santorini. Only from autumn to spring does the sun, rising further south, allow for this constellation with the church and the staircase in direct backlight. This wasn’t the result of planning, but simply an unexpected travel experience. For that, I was grateful, and that’s why I appreciate travelling so much.
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The Feast of St Francis or the Franciscan Festival in the city of Assisi is a significant event celebrated every year on 4th October. During this time, there is a wide variety of events and activities honouring the life and legacy of St Francis of Assisi, the founder of the communities living according to the monastic rules he wrote. Read more
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