Jewel of Riverside

I posted two photos from the Mission Inn in Riverside California back in November of last year.  You can see those here.  I took hundreds of photos of the place when I stayed there back in 2010 so I thought I'd show you more from this beautiful landmark.  It really is a jewell of place and well worth a visit even if you don't stay there.  Above is the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel.

There were at least two wedding that took place here the day I stayed.  The one pictured to the left had quite  a long line of wedding attendants.

I did manage to catch the bride just as she was entering the chapel.

Another area of the hotel is the rotunda open to the California sky.

A climb all the way to the top along the spiral stairway is well worth the effort.  It looks down onto a lovely fountain at the bottom.

Here is a closer view.  I have many more photos of this place to show you in the future.

Art in the Streets

When I visited San Gimignano back in 2012 there was an exhibit of Antony Gormley's sculptures in town and spilling out into the streets were many of his standing man sculptures.  I had seen many photos of these sculptures in a variety of places like water and mountains but, I had never seen one in person.

They were located in the streets in places where you could walk right up to them.

When I got to the Piazza Duomo, I turned to take a photo of those famous towers and I spotted another statue atop the tallest tower.

I wanted to yell "don't jump" but, I controlled the urge.

This poor fellow is stuck right where he is standing. I wonder if he's still there.

I did enjoy seeing this collection of sculptures!

Unexpected Art Installation

Back in 2006 on a trip to Paris, I stopped by the Pantheon for a visit and I found the inside completely full of a cobweb-like work of art.  The work was called Laviathan Thot by the Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto.  It was certainly an interesting and most unusual piece of art.  It was described as a "contrast between the animality of tulle-and-polystyrene creature suspended under the dome of the Pantheon, with the weight of History and the cultural layers of this landmark".

As one reviewer put it, "it looks absolutely mind blowing".

I must say it was quite an interesting sight in such an old and historic building.

If you would like to see some of Neto's work, check this web site.  I have to say, he does some very unique installations.

Basilica Nuestra Senora del Pilar

This 18th Century Jesuit Church is located adjacent to the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires Argentina.  It was originally built in 1732 by Franciscan Recoleto and has been beautifully restored in recent years.

It is built in Baroque style and is considered one of the best preserved examples of Argentine colonial architecture.  The ornate silver altar table is stunning framed by the golden backdrop of the altar.

On the second floor of the church is a small museum that houses religious artifacts from over the centuries.

They sparkle and shine inside glass cases.

There are also windows that offer wonderful views of the cemetery from a higher vantage point.  It's a good place to snap a few pictures of the complex maze of tombs that lay below.

I'll post more photos from inside the cemetery in another post.  It really is a "must see" for any visitor to Buenos Aires.