Esther's photos with the keyword: altar

Rome - Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo "In 1099, a chapel was built by Pope Paschal II to Our Lady over the tomb of the Domitii Ahenobarbi. Tradition has it that the site was haunted by Nero's ghost or demons in the form of black crows; therefore the pope chopped down the walnut tree sheltering the crows and built a chapel in its place. The name del Popolo ("of the people") probably derives from its funding by the people of Rome, but some sources say it comes from the Latin word populus, meaning poplar and referring to a tree located nearby. The chapel was enlarged and became a church by will of Pope Gregory IX in 1235, and was given to the Augustinian friars, who still oversee it, in 1250. Santa Maria del Popolo was reconstructed by Baccio Pontelli and Andrea Bregno in 1472-1477 on the orders of Pope Sixtus IV and was given to the congregation of Lombard friars in Rome. The result of the reconstruction was an early and excellent example of Italian Renaissance architecture. In 1655-60 the façade was modified by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who was asked by Pope Alexander VII to update the Renaissance church to a more modern Baroque style." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Santa_Maria_del_Popolo AIMG 8659

Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu, Peru. During the summer solstice, the sun shines directly into one of the temple’s windows, creating an alignment between the window, the rock alter and the solstice sun. Machu Picchu is believed to be the estate of a 15th-century Incan emperor. It is located at an altitude of 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) in the Andes mountains of Peru. AIMG 0941

St. Peter's Bascilica is believed to be the burial site of Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, as well as numerous popes. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Contruction of this bascilica, began in1506 and was completed in 1626. It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world. Photographs can not adequately convey the enormity of the structure. AIMG_2505

Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, Italy was built on the site of an 11th Century chapel. Pope Gregory IX had a church built there in the 13th Century and gave it to the Augustinians. The church was reconstructed between1472-1477. Between1655-60 the facade was modified by Bernini to modernize the church from Renaissance to Baroque style. Works by Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio can be found in the church. AIMG_2774

Some of the detailed carvings and stained glass found inside the Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal, Canada AMontreal.08 179

Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal, Canada AMontreal.08 174

Inside the Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal, Canada AMontreal.08 190