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Baroque is not my favourite architectural style, but St. Paulin on the outskirts of the Roman city of Trier, Germany won me over.
The church succeeds with it's elaborate, glorious, gold metalwork, and wonderful ceiling paintings. The whole place simply sparkles and shines, shown off by a brilliant white backdrop which enhances the colours and details.
A glorious ceiling view as you enter the church, painted by Christoph Thomas Scheffler, portraying scenes from the life of St. Paulinus and depictions of the martyrdom of the Theban Legion.
The organ by Romanus Benedict Nollet sitting over the
arcaded entrance.
Glorious gold gates to the altar. Most of the internal elements were the work of Johann Balthasar Neumann, a significant Baroque architect responsible for several impressive buildings.
Looking through the golden gates to the altar.
It is at moments like these when I think that I should
get myself a better camera with a telephoto lens!!
Unexpectedly amongst all of the white and gold plaster work, four plaster urns and green foliage. However, the introduction of the soft green leaves had the effect of enhancing the whole scheme.
Even the light fittings reveal incredible detail
I think you have shown us the detail well with your camera, very opulent.
ReplyDeleteEveryone else had big cameras and big lenses, so I am sure they created better photos than me, but you get the idea of the grandeur and as you mention opulence.
DeleteBeautiful post with wonderful photos. I do not think you need better camera. I do not particularly like the Baroque but was impressed when I saw some architectural buildings. The word baroque probably derives from the Portuguese word barocco, which means an irregular pearl and as an adjective generally indicates the sense of unusual or extravagant. ( I read this on Wikipedia).Thank you for the sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteOlympia
Thank you for that observation Olympia - a very interesting and apposite comment on baroque architecture. Pleased that you enjoyed the post and photos.
DeleteWOW! The church is spectacular! Your photos are gorgeous. I especially like your point of view on the last one. Well done.
ReplyDeleteDear Marie - you are very generous with your comments. I think you are right, the last photo is all the better for using a different angle.
DeleteThat is an elaborate church Rosemary. Imagine the cost of building it now. I adore my large camera and am still learning what it can do. I need to buy more lenses. That is where they get you. One always wants another lens.
ReplyDeleteDear Olive glad you are enjoying your new camera. Next time I will get a SLR camera, but until this one gives up the ghost, I am not inclined to do so.
DeleteBaroque architecture is usually over the top, but this church, although it was so flamboyant was beautiful.
Wow! I had never seen a yellow church. And all the grandeur inside. Must be very special to go to mass in there. So bright and clear with those white walls and all the gold. Very impressive indeed!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks once more for sharing. I may not have gone abroad this year but I have seen undiscovered places nevertheless ;-)
Saw 'your' station (Pancrass I think) on the news yesterday. A lot of our Olympic athletes arrived there yesterday. Had to think of you immediately of course and told the story about the station to the rest of the family.
Bye,
Marian
Dear Marian - that is the great thing about blogging, seeing something completely new and then having an unexpected follow up so soon afterwards. I hope your family were impressed with all of your knowledge.
DeleteThe church was in immaculate condition, especially when considering it was over 260 years old.
This looks fantastic, I am in Trier next month and will certainly visit this church.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Dear Filip - you must visit the church, it will blow you away when you walk through the door. I shall be doing another post on Trier, it is an amazing city and really requires longer there then we were able to spare.
DeleteHi, Rosemary - Me too....I'm usually not a fan of Baroque architecture. But I do appreciate that style in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Sweden has glorious Baroque churches and manor homes....many by Tessin the Elder and Tessin the Younger. Your photos are wonderful....and so is your camera :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Loi
That is very kind and encouraging of you Loi. I suppose it is important not to label everything on the strength of previous visits to baroque buildings. Although this church was over the top with decoration and ornate work everywhere, it succeeded splendidly.
DeleteRosemary,
DeleteWas this part of your recent holiday? Hope to see more photos from that trip.
L
Yes, we visited Trier as part of the trip. I have done three more posts which I will show during the coming week.
DeleteThat modest exterior, which doesn't really hint at the splendors within, reminds me in general form and massing of many New England and Western Reserve churches. Of course, the Baroque embellishments, as well as the yellow color, advertise its European location.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that you are right, the exterior did not hint at the ornateness inside. Germany was such an eye opener to us with regard to its churches. There was such an exciting array of architectural styles which we greatly enjoyed.
DeleteA beautiful post about the church in Trier. A gorgeous place to be. When I visit this kind of churches I always hope to hear the organ play. The vieuw of your garden is also fantastic. Hope you will get a lot of sunshine too.
ReplyDeleteGreat weekend Rosemary
Dear Marijke - I am really beginning to think that summer is finally on its way. We need the sun for the Olympics starting next week. It would have been an added bonus to hear the organ I agree, there is nothing more splendid than sitting in a beautiful church listening to the organ playing.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed seeing the garden.
I know what you mean about the style, Rosemary; but you just have to stand and gawp at such splendour! Your post communicates it beautifully, as usual.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate - they must have had great fun designing all of the different elements and getting them to work so harmoniously. I wonder how they all felt when it was completed?
DeleteHow beautiful this Church is Rosemary. And what a wonderful job you did in capturing the light and grandeur of this lovely church. I have seen many European Churches but ths one must be the most beautiful of them all. Thank you for bringing this treasure to us. And by the way, you don't need a new camera or a telephoto lens. You always take fantastic photos...it's a special talent you have. You see beauty everywhere. Have a lovely weekend. ox, Gina
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - what a very kind and generous comment - thank you. The church was magical, I shall never forget it. Its brilliant white and gold light enveloped you on entering.
DeleteToday the garden calls, the sun is shinning, the sky is blue - too good to be indoors♥
Dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYour camera does just great. A big WOW! The Baroque succeeds here, as you mention, because the white offers a needed contrast to all that glorious detail. I also like that all that ceiling decoration has analogous colors. I'd be interested to see the same color scheme translated into modern architecture.
Dear Mark - that is an interesting point about the ceiling colours, and it is probably another reason why the whole design works so well. On the whole the colours are surprisingly subtle. One thing that caught my eye, which I thought quite strange at first, were four urns each filled with a plant that had soft pale green leaves made in the plaster. However within the scheme the touch of green enhanced the whole.
DeleteI have reproduced one of the plants - but it is a bit fluffy!!!
I have been traveling and did not look at a computer for a while so I just looked at all your photos and was dazzled – all the various greens of the Moselle Valley, the picturesque houses, the grand staircase, the station (which I have not seen since 2002) and the great colors of the church – all this was a feast for the eyes!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much - glad you enjoyed the posts. Hope your travels were good.
DeleteHi Rosemary, lovely to meet you! I was very fortunate to win Madelief's beautiful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYour photos of the church are fantastic, what an amazing place!
I love your garden photos in the previous post too. :)
Happy Sunday,
Vivienne x
Dear Vivienne - thanks for your visit, please do call again. I am visiting N. Ireland for the first time ever in September which I am looking forward to. One of the many things I am keen to see is the Giant's Causeway.
Deletetoo right, this is frightfully appealing... it ain't my cup of either, but face-to-face it just leaves a slight frisson too...
ReplyDeletei have a ps,
... and happy to invite you to next weekend's drawing challenge {28-29/07}. you may find the theme intriguing. love to count you in!... n♥
drawing challenge
It must have been an exciting architectural project to be involved in. I am sure that all of the artists and craftsmen must have rejoiced in their labours at the grand conclusion.
DeleteHi Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteThat church is indeed glorious and your photos capture the atmosphere beautifully. I am glad you found me because now I know where you are.
Great to meet you!
Di
X
Thanks for your visit, and glad that you enjoyed seeing the beautiful church.
DeleteA lovely pot, Rosemary, though Baroque and Rococo have to be two of my least favourite architectural styles.:-) I'm a mediaevelist through and through....
ReplyDeleteI suppose that there is Baroque and Baroque, and this church has to be the top of the pile for me. It was in fabulous condition which obviously helps.
Delete