Blog 2 More sacred places

Since I got such a nice response from people on my cathedral blog (thank you, Neal), here are a few more favorites.

This is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, in Cartago, Costa Rica

This is the site of over a million pilgrimages, most people walking 22 miles, some doing it 

on their knees (!).

The building, as seen, was completed in the 1930's.  The original cathedral was built

in 1639, and had endured many earthquakes. 

Marvelous-looking pipe organ, unheard.  

L'eglise de la Madeleine, Paris.

Originally designed as a temple of glory to celebrate Napoleon's armies, loosely based on 

the Maison Carree in Nimes, one of the finest and best-preserved Roman temples.

The artwork above the altar depicts the history of Christianity.

This organ was built by the most celebrated of all French organ firms, Cavaille-Coll, completed in 1845.

It has been re-voiced and re-built several times. 

Some of the organists have been Saint-Saens, Dubois, Faure, and Demessieux.

Saint-Eustache, Paris

An enormous church, larger that Notre Dame (the 2019 Easter services normally held at Notre Dame were

transferred to Saint-Eustache because of the fire).

This building was constructed between 1532 and 1632.

The church was named after a general who was burned to death for converting to Christianity.

Some famous names are connected:  Cardinal Richelieu, Madame Pompadour, and Moliere were baptized here.

Mozart's mother had her funeral there. 

Some of the  people buried at Saint-Eustache are Scaramouche (famous Italian comic actor), and Rameau.

The pipe organ, with 8,000 pipes, is the largest in France.  It was featured in the premier of Berlioz's "Te Deum"

The famous titular organist Jean Guillou had it almost completely rebuilt in 1989.

Guillou had so much influence, that a console (keyboards and pedal, stoptabs) for the organ was added on the floor of the cathedral, so that he could be seen during organ recitals.  When Susan and I visited the church in 2001, we attended an Easter service in the morning and then returned in the afternoon to hear Guillou perform a recital.  He performed the first part of the recital on this console, and then moved up to the organ loft in back for the finale, (Vierne), on the original console.  

An awesome sight.  The original console is just behind the closest pipes in front.