Steve's Genealogy Blog

Monasterio de Santa Maria de Montserrat, Montserrat, Spain

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Steve

Once at the Monastery of Saint Mary of Montserrat, one approaches the basilica from Plaza de Santa Maria, enters a roofless, interior courtyard, and then enters the basilica itself . Above the doorways to the basilica is a bas relief depiction of Christ and the Apostles . Above the main altar hangs a crucifix with an ivory sculpture of Christ attributed to Michelangelo . Behind and above the altar, one can see an arched window opening to the Black Madonna of Monterrat, commonly known as La Moreneta (The Dark-Skinned One).

Approaching the Basilica of Montserrat from Plaza de Santa Maria

SOURCE: Approaching the Basilica of Montserrat from Plaza de Santa Maria (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

In the Courtyard before the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: In the Courtyard before the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Christ and the Apostles above the Door to the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: Christ and the Apostles above the Door to the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Inside the Basilica of Montserrat

SOURCE: Inside the Basilica of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

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Montserrat, Spain

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Steve

From Barcelona, my journey took me to Montserrat, site of a monastery high in the mountains . The views were magnificent.

Monasterio de San Benito de Montserrat

SOURCE: Monasterio de San Benito de Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Rocks and Arches

SOURCE: Â Rocks and ArchesÂ (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

View Area at Montserrat

SOURCE: Â ViewÂ Area atÂ Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The View from Montserrat

SOURCE: Â The View fromÂ Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

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The Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Steve

The Nativity Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain was completed between 1894 and 1930 . The architect, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), designed La Sagrada Familia in Art Nouveau style and the Nativity Facade does not fail to astonish the visitors to the Basilica . Various scenes from Christ’s birth and early life are depicted, including the Annunciation, theÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph, and the Presentation in the Temple . A sculpture of the Coronation of Mary is also depicted on this facade.

The Annunciation

SOURCE: The Annunciation (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

TheÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph

SOURCE: TheÂ Wedding of Mary and Joseph (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Presentation in the Temple

SOURCE: The Presentation in the Temple (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Coronation of Mary

SOURCE: The Coronation of Mary (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Barcelona, Mediterranean Vacation, Spain | 1 Comment

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Steve

The single sight that no tourist can miss in Barcelona, Spain is the Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, better known as La Sagrada Familia . Â Begun in 1882, the church was originally intended to be a traditional Gothic structure designedÂ by Francisco de Paula del Villar . Antoni Gaudi assumed responsibility for the project in 1883 and changed the design to an Art Nouveau style . The Passion Facade of the Basilica faces the setting sun andÂ is decorated with scenes from the Passion of Christ . Completed after Gaudi’s death, the sculptures on the Passion Facade were constructed by a team of sculptors headed by Josep Maria Subirachs in angular forms that are quite different from the style of Gaudi.

La Sagrada Familia

SOURCE: Â La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

LaÂ Sagrada Familia from a Distance

SOURCE: Â La Sagrada Familia from a DistanceÂ (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

Calvary

SOURCE: Â Calvary (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

The Crucifixion

SOURCE: TheÂ Crucifixion (Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 04 August 2011.

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Views of Monaco

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Steve

The last photos of Monaco I have are thee panoramic views of the Principality taken from the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville . They include views of Port Hercule and the high-rises (La Condamine and Monte Carlo), a relatively new area reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s (Fontvieille), and a more sweeping view of the Southwest (Fontvieille and La Colle) . Finally, as our coach was leaving Monaco, one passenger noted a traffic sign that was so complex, he commented, “That’s why we leave the driving to them!”

La Condamine, Port Hercule, and Monte Carlo

SOURCE: La Condamine, Port Hercule, andÂ Monte CarloÂ (La Condamine and Monte-Carlo, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Fontvieille

SOURCE: Fontvieille (Fontvieille, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Fontvieille and La Colle

SOURCE: Fontvieille and La ColleÂ (Fontvieille and La Colle, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Leave the Driving to Them!

SOURCE: Leave the Driving to Them! (Fontvieille, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

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The Grand Casino and Other Buildings in Monaco

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Steve

With visions of James Bond, the one place I wanted to visit in Monaco was the Grand Casino . I was surprised at how small the casino actually was, but impressed by its elegance . Unfortunately, the only photo I took was from the side, not the grand entrance . Other impressive structures were the National Council building where Monaco’s parliament meets, the Courthouse, and theÂ Oceanographic Museum once directed by Jacques Cousteau.

The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo

SOURCE: The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo (Monte-Carlo, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The National Council Building

SOURCE: The National Council Building (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Monaco Courthouse

SOURCE: The National Council Building (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Oceanographic Museum

SOURCE: TheÂ Oceanographic MuseumÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

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Princely Residences in Monaco

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Steve

The Prince’s Palace in Monaco was originally built in 1191 as a fortress and has been in the possession of the Grimaldi family since 1297 . Today, it is the home of Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlene who were married with a civil ceremony on 01 July 2011 and a religious ceremony on 02 July 2011 . TheÂ palace is guarded by sentries on constant duty . Near the entrance to the palace stands a sculpture with notations “Tribute of foreign colonists to His Serene Highness Prince Albert I on the occasion of his 25 years of rule,” and “Science discovers the richness of the ocean.”Â Prince Albert II’s sisters Caroline and StéphanieÂ own homes, Clos Saint-Pierre and Clos Saint-Martin, a short distance from the Prince’s Palace.

The Prince’s Palace in Monaco

SOURCE: Â The Prince’s Palace in MonacoÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Changing of the Guard in Monaco

SOURCE: Â The Changing of the Guard in MonacoÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Tribute of Foreign Settlers

SOURCE: Â Tribute of Foreign SettlersÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Clos Saint-Martin, Princess Stéphanie’s Home

SOURCE: Clos Saint-Martin, Princess Stéphanie’s Home (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

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Notable Burials in the Monaco Cathedral

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Steve

The Monaco Cathedral is the final resting place of the Grimaldis, the ruling family of the Principality of Monaco . Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace (wife of Prince Ranier III), Prince Louis II (grandfather of Prince Ranier III), and Prince Albert I (father of Prince Louis II) are among those buried there . Prince Ranier III ruled Monaco from 1949-2005, Prince Louis II ruled from 1922-1949, and Prince Albert I ruled from 1889-1922.

Princess Grace Patricia (1929-1982)

SOURCE: Princess Grace Patricia (1929-1982) (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Prince Ranier III (1923-2005)

SOURCE: Prince Ranier III (1923-2005) (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Prince Louis II (1870-1949)

SOURCE: Prince Louis II (1870-1949) (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Prince Albert I (1848-1922)

SOURCE: Prince Albert I (1848-1922) (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

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More Beauty from the Cathedral in Monaco

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Steve

The Cathedral in Monaco posesses a remarkable altarpiece (retable) created by Louis Bréa for the Great Jubilee of the Year 1500 . In the upper register there appear John the Baptist, the Angel of the Annunciation, the image of Christ of Pity, the Virgin of the Annunciation, and Saint Anne . In the lower register are Saint Michael, Saint Stephen, Saint Nicholas, Saint Lawrence, and Saint Mary Magdalene . Saint Devote, St. Clare, St. Bernard, St. Barbara appear vertically on the left, and St. Julie, St. Margaret, St. Blaise and St. Bridget appear vertically on the right.

The Saint Nicholas Altarpiece

SOURCE: The Saint Nicholas Altarpiece (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Also in the Cathedral is a reproduction of the Image of Divine Mercy designed by the mystic Sister Faustina Kowalska . Â I saw other reproductions of this painting several years ago while in Vilnius . The original, painted by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934, still hangs in Vilnius . The image shown here is actually based on a copy painted by Adolfa Hyły in 1944 . Below the image appear the words Jezu Ufam Tobie (Jesus, I trust in you) . Â I used a version of this supplication when I designed the gravestone for my Aunt Bronisława.

The Image of Divine Mercy

SOURCE: TheÂ Image of Divine MercyÂ (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The baptistery of the Cathedral is found in an apse on the side of the structure.

The Baptistery

SOURCE: The Baptistery (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

The Cathedral holds aÂ small sculpture of Saint Devota, patron saint of Monaco and Corsica, that was presented by Prince Rainier III on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi family . According to legend, Saint Devota was martyred for her faith . Her body was placed in a boat so that it could be taken to Africa for burial . A storm arose, but a dove flew out of Saint Devota’s mouth and guided the boat safely to the shores of Monaco.

Saint Devota (Sainte Dévote)

SOURCE: Saint Devota (Sainte Dévote) (Monaco-Ville, Monaco); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 August 2011.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Mediterranean Vacation, Monaco | 1 Comment

The Cathedral in Monaco

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Steve

The Cathedral of Monaco, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, is built on the site of the first parish church of Monaco . In addition to the main altar, the Cathedral includes several side altars, including those devoted to Saint Benedict, Patron of Europe, and Saint Romanus Ostiarius, one of the protectors of the Principality of Monaco.